China refutes reports about President Xi, PM Nawaz not meeting in Astana

China has rejected as “pointless and baseless” the media reports about Chinese President Xi Jinping not meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana following the murder of two Chinese nationals in Quetta.

“I can assure you that at the sidelines of the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States, President Xi Jinping held friendly talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif many times,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said during his regular press briefing in Beijing.

He said, “China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners enjoying relationship that runs long and deep.”

“At present, we are coordinating with the Pakistani government to do our best and step up efforts in verifying relevant information,” he said regarding the abduction of two Chinese nationals.