CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING RECEIVES PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF AND HOSTS BANQUET FOR HIM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry press release stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan on the morning of 2 November at the Great Hall of the People. President Xi welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and thanked him for his congratulatory letter after the 20th Party Congress. He noted that "China and Pakistan are good friends, good partners and good brothers. Amid global changes and instability in recent years, the two countries have supported each other and forged ahead, demonstrating an iron-clad friendship. China views its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective, and Pakistan has always been a high priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. China is ready to work with Pakistan to elevate the level of allround strategic cooperation, speed up efforts to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and inject new impetus into their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership". "President Xi stressed that China commends Pakistan’s firm commitment to advancing friendship and cooperation with China, and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support on issues vital to China’s core and major concerns. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests and dignity, and in achieving unity, stability, development and prosperity." President Xi underscored that China will continue its fundamental policy of opening-up and provide new opportunities to Pakistan and the rest of the world through continuous development. "The two sides will make full use of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), advance CPEC with greater efficiency, and make CPEC an exemplar of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation". "China will continue to do its best to support Pakistan in stabilizing its financial situation. China supports its provinces with a strong industry in pairing up with Pakistani partners to advance industrial cooperation, and hopes the Pakistani side will provide a sound business environment. President Xi expressed his great concern about the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and conveyed his hope that Pakistan will provide a reliable and safe environment for Chinese institutions and personnel working on cooperation projects there”. He added that "China will work with Pakistan to advance the operationalization of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, make the global economic governance system more fair, equitable and inclusive that benefits all, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. These collaborative efforts will provide a strong underpinning for the development of the two countries, and contribute more  to global peace, stability, and prosperity". "Prime Minister Sharif noted that it is a great honour for him to be among the first foreign leaders to visit China after the successful 20th CPC National Congress, which marked a new milestone". Sharif was quoted as saying "The world cannot operate without China, and China’s development cannot be isolated or contained by any force. Prime Minister Sharif expressed his confidence that President Xi, with his extraordinary vision, will continue to lead China toward even more remarkable achievements and create an even brighter future for the world". Sharif stressed "that deepening Pakistan’s all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and the national consensus of Pakistan". He "reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to the one-China policy and its firm support for China’s position on issues concerning China’s core interests including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Even as Pakistan learns from China’s successful experience and tries to rely on its own efforts, Pakistan will deepen allround cooperation with China to better develop itself. This is the only way forward for Pakistan" and said "Pakistan fully supports the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forth by President Xi. It will strengthen communication and collaboration with China in international and regional affairs to make a positive contribution to world peace and development. The Pakistan-China friendship is unbreakable. Pakistan will always stand firmly with China. After the meeting, President Xi held a welcoming banquet for Prime Minister Sharif at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People". Politburo members Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present at the events. Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is accompanying the Pakistan Prime Minister.





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