Attempts to dent Sino-Pak ties won’t succeed: Beijing

Chinese FM spokesperson vows to support Pakistan in fight against ‘common scourge’ of terrorism

Picture source - Reuters

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said that the “ironclad friendship” between China and Pakistan was unbreakable and any attempt to undermine the bilateral cooperation, mutual trust and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not succeed.

Wang Wenbin made these remarks during his regular briefing in response to questions about the Karachi University terrorist attack.

A shuttle van of the Confucius Institute of Karachi University was hit by a suicide bomber a day earlier, leaving three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani dead.

The spokesperson said that terrorism was a common scourge and the blood of the Chinese people would not be shed in vain in terrorism.

“Once again, we mourn the passing of the Chinese and Pakistani nationals and extend our sincere sympathies to the victims and to the injured and the bereaved families,” he added.

Terming the bombing a premeditated suicide attack targeting Chinese citizens, Wang said Beijing supported Pakistan in fighting terrorism and those behind the incident would surely pay the price.

He observed that the target of the egregious and heinous attack was teachers.

He highlighted that after the attack, the Chinese foreign ministry, embassy and the consulate in Pakistan following the guidance of China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi immediately activated the emergency response mechanisms and requested the Pakistani side to take proper efforts to treat the injured, handle the follow-up matter and conduct a thorough investigation, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Pakistani side, he maintained, was also asked to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions.

He said that the Chinese departments and local governments are taking action in coordination with Consul General in Karachi.

Noting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the embassy to convey his condolences, the spokesperson said that he offered condolences and instructed the authorities concerned to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

He expressed confidence that the government would spare no efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

Wang further observed that the Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah also visited the Consulate General in Karachi to convey condolences and took prompt actions in the rescue and investigation.

“We will work together with Pakistan to crack down on terrorists and make sure the culprits behind the attack will pay a heavy price,” the spokesperson concluded.