PM admires strategic ties with China
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—The strategic relationship between Pakistan and China is contributing significantly towards regional peace and stability. Talking to Wang Yi, Senior Vice Foreign Minister of China, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat here on Thursday, Soomro said that China is Pakistan’s strategic partner and all weather, time tested friend.
The Prime Minister said that the relations between the two countries were broad-based as Pakistan and China were actively cooperating in political, diplomatic, social, economic and defence fields. He said that Pakistan always accords high priority to its close relations with China and was keen to expand it in all sectors of life. He further said that these deep rooted relationships were based on the strong trust, abiding cooperation and understanding of each other’s positions on regional and global issues.
While explaining the current political situation in the country, the Prime Minister expressed hope of smooth transition of power to the elected government after the general elections. He specifically mentioned that the manifestos of all the political parties contesting the elections reflect that all believe in continuation of policies for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
Soomro said that China is an emerging power and is a factor for global peace and stability. He said that Pakistan admires the achievements of the Chinese leadership and China’s example is an inspiration for all developing countries. He said that China phenomenally exporting its capital and investing in many counties and Pakistan is keen to offer its economic potential for investment in the infrastructure, energy, exploration and other important sectors.
He specifically mentioned and appreciated China’s support for the up-gradation of the Karakurram Highway and the signing of contract for the construction of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project.
The Prime Minister said that for the last couple of years there was a big surge in trade between the two countries and efforts were underway to further promote it. The Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, he said, was an historic development and had helped a lot in enhancing trade and economic activities between Pakistan and China.
He further said that the government of Pakistan had given a lot of incentives to the Chinese to invest in Pakistan so that the economic ties between the two counties would be further strengthened. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is committed in its endeavour to fight terrorism in all its form and manifestation and would not allow anyone to use its territory for any kind of activities prejudice to the security of any other country. Pakistan is capable of defending its territory and will not allow any foreign troops on its soil, he said. Pakistan will cooperate with the global community to create environment of peace and harmony and oppose terrorism, he added.
Mr. Wang Yi conveyed the greeting of the President and Prime Minister of China to the Prime Minister for assuming additional responsibility as a caretaker Prime Minister. He said that his government and the people of China always regard Pakistan as their true friend and hoped that existing relations between the two countries would further strengthen in time to come. China and Pakistan are the strategic partners and hoped that this relation would grow further in future, he added.
The meeting discussed cooperation to increase trade, investment security, defence, science and technology and enhancing people to people contact. Pakistan reiterated Thursday its one China policy that unequivocally embodies that Taiwan is an integral and inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, which is the sole government representing the whole of China including Taiwan.