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FM Asif Meets Chinese President on Sidelines of SCO Summit

Beijing (April 23, 2018): Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing on Monday.

Asif in his meeting during the foreign minister council session expressed his goodwill to the Chinese President from the people of Pakistan and said that the relations between the neighboring countries are based on mutual respect and harmony.

“China and Pakistan are strategic partners,” he said.

The Chinese president appreciated Pakistan’s role as a member in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif met Chinese State Councilor and his counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday.During the meeting, both discussed significant matters of mutual interest. They agreed to enhance mutual cooperation for peace and regional stability and extend cooperation to fight rising unilateralism and protectionism.

Asif stated that Pakistan is happy to see the leaders of China and India hold informal meetings and believes that together they will play an active role in the establishment of regional peace and improvement of bi-lateral ties between their countries.Khawaja Asif also apprised Wang Yi about the situation prevailing in Occupied Kashmir.

On the occasion, Wang Yi said that the current development of Sino-Pakistani relations enjoys a good momentum. The two sides maintain close and comprehensive contacts and coordinate with each other on major international and regional issues.

He added that the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has progressed smoothly, bringing real benefits to the local people.

Wang Yi shared how China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries, carry out closer strategic communications, develop comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation, and push China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level.China will continue to firmly support Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, seek its own development, and create a good external environment, he said.

During the meeting, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and other senior diplomats of both countries were also present.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Yesterday, Wang Yi met with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province from 27-28 April where he will hold an informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to improve bilateral relations.Khajawa Asif said that Pakistan is an all-weather friend of China and no matter how the situation changes, the two countries will always stand side by side.

Pakistan is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with China, promote the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other major cooperation projects, and continuously deepen the close relationship between the two sides.

Pakistan firmly supports China’s core interests and wishes that China will play a greater role in international and regional affairs, he added.

He also wished the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit to be a complete success.Asif further told Wang Yi that Pakistan is looking forward to a meaningful meeting between heads of states of the SCO at Qingdao in June this year in which President Mamnoon Hussain is expected to attend.

Asif also congratulated on the re-election of Xi Jinping as President of China and Wing Yi on his re-election as foreign minister and his new responsibilities as State Councillor.

Asif is in China to attend the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from April 23-24.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will discuss issues related to peace and security at the international and regional level and promotion of cooperation between member states.The meeting will also finalize the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Heads of State Council in Qingdao.

The SCO is an important forum for global and regional peace and security and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between member states.

Pakistan joined the organization in June 2017. It has been playing an active, responsible and constructive role in it in line with the Shanghai Spirit which calls for mutual trust and benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.The SCO is making remarkable strides in promoting understanding, coordination and cooperation in a wide array of fields. Pakistan would continue to play our role in meeting the objectives of SCO, the statement said.

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