Bid to undermine ties bound to fail: Pakistan, China

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Zardari and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen strategic cooperation across key areas, including economy, investment, and regional connectivity. Both sides also emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

According to an announcement from the President’s Secretariat, this was discussed during a meeting between the visiting Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang and President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

Welcoming the delegation, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasised that Pakistan’s friendship with its all-weather partner remained a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. He stressed the importance of exploring new avenues for cooperation as there was more space to expand bilateral relations. He also underscored the need to enhance connectivity through all-weather road networks to strengthen trade and people-to-people linkages. He said that Chinese companies should benefit from the investment opportunities in Pakistan by investing in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The president stated that the time was ripe to fully leverage China’s economic growth, particularly through the opportunities presented by CPEC and the Gwadar Port. He told the visiting dignitary that he would be visiting China in November and looked forward to reconnecting with old friends and engaging in discussions to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Reflecting on his previous visits to China during his earlier tenure, the president noted that Pakistan has consistently enjoyed China’s unwavering support on key issues of mutual importance. Zardari also expressed his heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of the lives of two Chinese nationals in a terrorist attack, stating that the heart-breaking incident deeply grieved the entire nation. He emphasised that the enemies of the Pakistan-China friendship were trying to undermine bilateral relations by targeting Chinese nationals and attempting to disrupt CPEC projects, adding that such malicious efforts would not succeed. President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring they receive exemplary punishment. He assured the Chinese Premier that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to enhance the security of Chinese nationals working in the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari appreciated China’s support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He reiterated Pakistan’s support to China on all its core issues, including the “One China” policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea.

Speaking on the occasion, Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed that Pakistan and China were good brothers, neighbours, partners, and friends. He emphasised that Pak-China strategic cooperation would continue to deepen under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He acknowledged the contributions of President Asif Ali Zardari in promoting stronger Pakistan-China relations. Premier Li highlighted that both nations had consistently supported each other, regardless of global challenges, and expressed confidence that they would continue to cooperate to take their partnership to new heights. The Chinese premier emphasized the need to accelerate the progress of development projects under CPEC. He highlighted that China would continue to support Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan. He also expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-China relations and that it would continue to grow stronger. Premier Li appreciated Pakistan for its firm support to China on all its core issues, including the “One China” policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea. He said that China would continue to support Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and prosperity.

Later, President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a state luncheon in honour of the visiting Chinese Premier and his delegation. The luncheon was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers, services chiefs, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, parliamentarians and diplomats.

In another meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need to expand the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan by focusing on trade in value-added products across various sectors to strengthen economic ties and boost mutual prosperity.

According to the President Secretariat, Chairman of the Cabinet of the Kyrgyz Republic Akyibek Zhaparov Usenbekovich called on President Zardari along with a delegation on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. Talking with the Chairman of the Cabinet of the Kyrgyz Republic Akyibek Zhaparov Usenbekovich, President Zardari said Kyrgyzstan could also benefit from the Karachi and Gwadar ports. The president also expressed the government’s desire to expand cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all sectors of mutual interests. He extended gratitude to Kyrgyzstan for supporting Pakistan’s successful election to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council.

Expressing his views during the meeting, Chairman of the Cabinet of the Kyrgyz Republic Akyibek Zhaparov Usenbekovich said Kyrgyzstan always prioritized the promotion of trade with friendly countries. Kyrgyzstan wants to enhance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors of business, economy and technology, he said adding that due to Kyrgyzstan’s economic development, there were significant opportunities for the workforce in the construction and textile sectors in the country. The Kyrgyz leader also extended gratitude to the Pakistani government for making the process of issuing Pakistani visas easier for Kyrgyz citizens.

Meanwhile, the Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called on the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and discussed the Pakistan-China relations, including cooperation in diverse fields. According to the Senate Secretariat here, the Chairman Senate extended a warm welcome to Li Qiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China. This engagement was aimed at deepening the bond of friendship and enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly in the fields of economics, trade and investment.

Gilani emphasised the historic ties between the two nations, tracing back over 2,000 years to the Silk Road, which served as a bridge of friendship linking our ancient civilizations. He acknowledged the longstanding amity that has characterized Pakistan-China relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in May 1951, highlighting that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China. He paid tribute to the vision of the architects of this enduring relationship, including former Prime Ministers Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, as well as the leadership of China. He also affirmed that Pakistan considers China as one of its closest friends, with both nations committed to mutual trust, respect and goodwill.

Recalling his history of fostering Pak-China relations during his tenure as prime minister, Chairman Senate noted high-level interactions and discussions that have consistently strengthened ties. He reiterated the importance of parliamentary cooperation, citing recent visits by Pakistani delegations aimed at furthering this essential partnership.

On the vital issue of security, Chairman Gilani condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals working on development projects within the country. He emphasized that attacks against Chinese citizens would be seen as attacks against Pakistan itself, underscoring the solidarity between the two nations in combating extremism and terrorism. Gilani also highlighted the robust defence cooperation that underpins the relationship, noting significant joint projects like the production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. He expressed gratitude for China’s support in enhancing Pakistan’s national defence capabilities.

On the economic front, the Chairman discussed the progress made under the CPEC which serves as a pivotal framework for enhancing trade relations. He reported that bilateral trade volume has shown commendable growth, with imports from China reaching $13.50 billion and exports to China increasing to $2.707 billion in FY24.

At the conclusion of an official visit to Pakistan by Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, from October 14 to 15, Pakistan and China issued a 30-point joint statement, after reaching extensive consensus on further consolidating and deepening their Strategic Cooperative Partnership, on promoting practical cooperation in various sectors, and on issues of mutual interests.

Jammu and Kashmir found mention in the joint statement in which the Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved by the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. Both two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action, while the Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The joint statement focused on attempts to disrupt or undermine Pakistan-China cooperation but did not name the forces behind these attempts. “The two sides noted that in a transforming and turbulent world where major changes are unfolding at a faster pace, the Pakistan-China relationship is of strategic significance, and any attempt to disrupt or undermine Pakistan-China cooperation is bound to fail. Pakistan and China enjoy an all-level, cross-board and high-quality relationship,” noted the joint statement.

In this regard, the Chinese side reiterated that the China-Pakistan relationship is a priority in its foreign relations and is of special significance in its foreign policy, while Pakistan underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy.

The recent terrorist attacks on Chinese personnel were also highlighted in the joint statement in which Beijing underscored the need and urgency to take targeted security measures in Pakistan, to jointly create a safe environment for cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan emphasized its firm and unswerving commitment to further enhancing security input and coordination, further strengthening security measures, and making comprehensive efforts to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.

China acknowledged the efforts made by the Pakistani side to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, and spoke highly of Pakistan’s unremitting efforts and tremendous sacrifices in combating terrorism, and its contributions to maintaining international peace and security. “The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a zero-tolerance attitude, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, and jointly oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of counterterrorism”, said the statement.

Both sides expressed readiness to work with the international community to strengthen multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation within frameworks such as the U.N. and the SCO. Pakistan also expressed high appreciation for China’s valuable support for the fiscal and financial stability of Pakistan and agreed to the extension of the China-Pakistan Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement, which would further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, and support each other within regional and international multilateral financial platforms.

Premier Li Qiang held delegation-level talks with Pakistan’s military leadership and this was also reflected in the joint statement in which the two sides underscored that strategic defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China plays an irreplaceable and critical role in maintaining peace, stability and strategic balance in the region.

“The two sides expressed satisfaction that the two militaries have long enjoyed high-level of mutual trust, high-level cooperation, and high-level coordination. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level military-to-military visits and exchanges, and to continuously elevate cooperation in areas of joint training, exercises and military technology.”, said the statement.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the issue of Afghanistan and called for concerted efforts of the international community to encourage the Interim Afghan Government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies and pursue good-neighbourliness.

Importantly Pakistan and China called upon the Interim Afghan Government to take visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist groups based in Afghanistan which continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security, and to prevent the use of Afghan territory against its neighbors, the region, and beyond. They also called for strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels to support Afghanistan in taking comprehensive measures to eradicate terrorism and

The two sides expressed grave concern over the protracted conflict in Gaza and the dire and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and urged for an immediate and permanent ceasefire as well as efforts to ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance. The two sides reaffirmed their support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to establish an independent State of Palestine.Both sides expressed support for resuming the process of political settlement and their readiness to work with the rest of the international community to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question. The two sides expressed grave concern over recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon, which further escalated the tension in the region. “We oppose practices that violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and oppose moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions. Pakistan and China call on the international community, especially major countries with influence, to play a constructive role and avoid further turmoil”, said the joint statement.

The Pakistani side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China and that Pakistan firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” and will firmly support China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. The Chinese side reiterated its unwavering support for Pakistan in defending national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development and prosperity.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to an upgraded version of CPEC by jointly building a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor and an open corridor, and developing CPEC into a demonstration project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Recognizing the significance of the Gwadar Port as a key hub for cross-regional connectivity, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to speed up the development of the auxiliary infrastructure of the Gwadar Port, to steadily attract more cargo shipments to the port, to find a solution to inadequate water and power supply at an early date, to accelerate the development of the port’s industrial zone, and to solidly enhance connectivity between the port and other parts of Pakistan.

The two sides positively assessed the achievements of Pakistan-China energy cooperation and agreed to continue to promote the CPEC energy cooperation in a practical, prudent and orderly manner. The two sides will jointly explore solutions for specific issues based on scientific research and friendly consultation. The two sides agreed to strengthen professional exchanges on improving the efficiency and management of the power system of Pakistan.