China and Pakistan have promised to improve their relationships with each other, speed up the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and work together more in areas like agriculture, transportation, and information technology.
During a recent meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was in Pakistan, Pakistani President Arif Alvi said that the reason why Pakistan and China get along so well is that their people have always been close.
The president said that the relationship between Pakistan and China should get closer and stronger as the world changes and the good tradition of frequent exchanges between the two countries should continue.
Pakistani President Arif said that Pakistan is very grateful to China for its strong support of Pakistan’s attempts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild after disasters, and get Pakistanis living abroad out of conflict-torn Sudan.
The President of Pakistan stated that the Pakistani side is looking forward to making collaborative efforts with China to advance the building of the CPEC and to enhance cooperation on agriculture, connectivity, and information technology.
The two nations have expressed their commitment to strengthening ties and deepening cooperation in the field of information technology through various measures. These may include joint research and development initiatives, knowledge exchange programs, technology transfer, investment in IT infrastructure, and promoting collaboration between IT companies from both countries.
The focus is on fostering innovation, sharing expertise, and leveraging each other’s strengths to achieve mutual growth and advancements in the field of information technology.
In addition, Pakistan firmly pursues the one-China policy and supports China on issues concerning its core interests, such as those concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the president stressed.
He said that Pakistan will do everything it can to make sure the Chinese people and institutions in Pakistan are safe and that Pakistan is ready to work with China to bring peace and rebuild Afghanistan.
Minister Qin, for his part, said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners who work well together. He added that the top goal of every government in both countries has been to strengthen and build on the strong friendship between them.
He also emphasised to upholds Pakistan’s unity, stability, development, and prosperity. The Chinese side also supports Pakistan in preserving its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
To implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in a number of fields, jointly confront external risks and challenges, and steadily advance the China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
The Chinese foreign minister stated that China is prepared to collaborate with Pakistan to advance the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), quicken the construction of CPEC, deepen cooperation in areas like industry, agriculture, information technology, and disaster prevention and mitigation, and assist Pakistan in reviving its economy and improving the standard of living for its citizens.
China and Pakistan should improve their interpersonal and cultural exchanges, according to Minister Qin, who also noted that China encourages more deserving Pakistani students to pursue studies there.
To advance the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan and contribute to regional stability and prosperity, the Chinese side is prepared to step up contact and coordination with the Pakistani side on the Afghan issue.