Pakistan and China reaffirm their commitment to CPEC expansion: FO

ISLAMABAD 24 Mar (Online): Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan held meeting with China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and with Chairman CIDCA Lou Zhaouhui last week.

On the 18 March, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan and Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong co-chaired the Third Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC).

The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, and agreed to expand and reinforce political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people ties.

To enhance high level engagements and dialogue mechanisms both will make the channels of communication even more robust.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) and agreed to remain engaged in expansion of CPEC including on participation of third parties to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. Pakistan and China will further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in multilateral platforms.

The first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Political Cooperation under the framework of Pakistan-GCC Strategic Dialogue was held on 21 March in Riyadh.

The Dialogue was co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary for the Middle East, Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh and Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC General Secretariat, Dr. Abdulaziz Alwaisheg. The two sides discussed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and GCC and exchanged views on regional and global security; counter-terrorism; and Islamophobia.

Last week, the Prime Minister inaugurated the CPEC 1320 MW Thar Coal Block-1 Power Project. This US$3 billion project, harnessing Thar coal, has created over 8000 job opportunities.

Pakistan also expressed grave concerns on the arrest of senior journalist and human rights defender, Irfan Meraj in Srinagar in IIOJK, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against these grave and systematic human rights violations in IIOJK.

We will also continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

For upcoming diplomatic engagements, Pakistan-Malaysia Bilateral Political Consultations will be held next week in Kuala Lumpur. Agenda includes discussion on political, security and military cooperation, trade and investment ties, cooperation in science & technology, health, tourism and culture.

The two sides will also exchange views on the regional and global issues including developments in the Asia-Pacific region, Climate Change, and Islamophobia.