Islamabad, In a joint statement, China and Pakistan have reinforced their enduring alliance after Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar of Pakistan’s visit to China from October 16 to 20, 2023, to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, hosted at the invitation of China’s President Xi Jinping.
According to a news release by Press Information Department, During the visit, Prime Minister Kakar held significant discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other influential Chinese leaders, converging on strengthening their mutual relationship and cooperation on both regional and global issues. Both countries confirmed that mutual trust remains foundational to their relationship, with Pakistan stressing its relationship with China as the cornerstone of its foreign policy.
A notable highlight from the statement is the resolute stance on each other’s core interests. Pakistan expressed strong support for the one-China Principle and China’s territorial claims. Similarly, China showed unwavering support for Pakistan in upholding its sovereignty, economic stability, and its role in regional and international domains.
Both countries acknowledged the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a major driver of global economic growth and agreed to bolster cooperation for its high-quality development. Under the BRI’s flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the two sides expressed satisfaction with its progress over the past decade and resolved to further diversify its dimensions, emphasizing Gwadar Port’s significance as a key connectivity node.
In terms of infrastructure projects, the statement highlighted their intention to fast track the development of the ML-1 upgradation and the Karakoram Highway realignment project. Both sides also expressed keen interest in embarking on the D.I. Khan-Zhob Road Project and lauded Chinese enterprises’ contributions to Pakistan’s renewable energy sector.
Industrial cooperation was also underscored, with both countries agreeing to bolster implementation of the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation and welcoming third-party investments in priority areas. Collaborations in the fields of mining, agriculture, information technology, and digital economy were also accentuated.
Space cooperation emerged as a significant area of collaboration, with both nations aiming to push the boundaries in space science and technology, further solidified by the signing of documents on the International Lunar Research Station.
On the regional front, the Chinese side reiterated its stance on the Kashmir dispute, emphasizing a peaceful resolution in line with UN guidelines. Terrorism was universally condemned, and both sides pledged to bolster counter-terrorism efforts.
The two countries also expressed contentment with enhanced cultural collaborations, especially in the realm of tourism. The armed forces’ close cooperation was highlighted, with an emphasis on deepening ties in training, joint exercises, and military technology.
Lastly, the statement underscored both countries’ commitment to the UN Charter’s principles and purposes, advocating for unity and cooperation on the global stage.