Pak-China leadership conducted in-depth, friendly exchanges during SCO Summit: FM

BEIJING, Jun 11: President Xi Jinping and President Mamnoon Hussain conducted in-depth and friendly exchanges during their bilateral meeting held during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

“On June 9, President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani President Hussain in Qingdao. The two parties conducted in-depth and friendly exchanges,” Geng Shuang said while responding to a question asked by APP during his regular briefing held here.

He informed that during the meeting, Chairman Xi Jinping pointed out that China attaches great importance to China-Pakistan relations and is willing to work closely with Pakistan on high-level exchanges and strategic communications to strengthen friendly exchanges in various fields and steadily push forward the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the energy and transportation infrastructure under the “Belt and Road” framework.

“Cooperation in other areas will enhance the level of anti-terrorism security cooperation and promote greater development of bilateral relations,” he added.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and support Pakistan’s choice of development path.

The spokesperson said the Chinese side will, as always, firmly support Pakistan on issues related to each other’s core interests.

Geng Shuang said in response, President Mamnoon Hussain stated that China is a reliable friend and a firm partner of Pakistan and Pakistan-China relations must not be shaken.

Pakistan adheres to the one-China policy and firmly supports China's core interests, the president said and added, it is willing to continue to maintain high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade and security, advance the construction of China-Pakistan economic corridor, and coordinate closely on international and regional issues.

The spokesperson said Mamnoon Hussain also conveyed his Chinese counterpart that Pakistan supports China’s greater role in international affairs and believes that this is crucial to maintaining global security and stability.

The SCO was established in Shanghai in 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members.

With the inclusion of Pakistan and India, the eight SCO member states now account for more than 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass, nearly half of the world's population and over 20 percent of global GDP. (APP)