ISLAMABAD, Oct. 16 (INP): The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements, said a joint statement issued here on Wednesday during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Pakistan. The statement says, the China-Pakistan relationship is of strategic significance, and any attempt to disrupt or undermine China-Pakistan cooperation is bound to fail, China and Pakistan enjoy an all-level, across-the-board and high-quality relationship, said the statement. The Chinese side reiterated that the China-Pakistan relationship is a priority in its foreign relations.  The Pakistani side underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy while the Chinese side highlighted that the China-Pakistan relationship is of special significance in China's foreign policy.

The two sides agreed to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields and accelerate efforts to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. According to the joint statement, the two sides underscored that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Pakistan-China relations have withstood the test of times and have remained rock-solid.  The Pakistani side highly commends and firmly supports major visions and propositions put forth by President Xi Jinping, such as fostering a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Both sides advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and are committed to working together with all countries around the world for a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress. 

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, across-the-board and high-quality relationship. The Chinese side reiterated that the China-Pakistan relationship is a priority in its foreign relations. The Pakistani side underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy while the Chinese side highlighted that the China-Pakistan relationship is of special significance in China’s foreign policy.  The two sides will continue to deepen cooperation in various fields and accelerate efforts to build an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era.  The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of exchanges under the strategic guidance of the top leaders for the development of bilateral relations. 

They agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and across various fields between governments, legislative bodies and political parties.  The two sides reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on the issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.  The Pakistani side reaffirmed its firm commitment to 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, firmly 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 develop CPEC into a demonstration project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.  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. 

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to jointly upholding the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter.  The two sides will continue to uphold the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organization, oppose decoupling and disrupting supply chains, and firmly resist unilateralism and protectionism.  The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action.  The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China