Pakistan and China on Sunday urged the regional countries and international community to fight terrorism together, terming terrorism as the “common enemy of humanity”.
“The two sides called on the regional countries and the international community to form synergy and fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” read a joint statement issued by Pakistan and China after a meeting of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in
Guangzhou during his maiden visit to China.
Bilawal landed in China with an aim to strengthen bilateral and economic ties on Saturday. The two leaders met in Guangzhou Sunday morning. The visit coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. The FM briefed the Chinese side on its efforts to ensure the safety of all Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in the country, as the two sides once again condemned the terrorist attack outside Confucius Institute, Karachi University.
He also reiterated that efforts will be made to speed up investigation, hunt down the culprits, and bring them to justice.
In response, China appreciated Pakistan’s commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals. Pakistan and China will further enhance counter-terrorism and security cooperation, the statement said.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum of bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges. They underlined that China-Pakistan defense cooperation was in fact a factor of peace and stability in the region. Moreover, the foreign minister discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral relations with Wang. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, during a press briefing held earlier in Beijing, expressed China’s desire to use Bilawal’s visit as an opportunity to continue with the traditional friendship with Pakistan.
He said that Beijing hopes to consolidate strategic mutual trust and further deepen the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership.
Taking to Twitter, Bilawal thanked Wang for a warm welcome and hospitality. “Such a delight to visit #Guangzhou, meet State Councilor & FM #WangYi, celebrate 71 years of enduring ties and discuss matters of mutual interest. I thank the State Councilor for warm reception & gracious hospitality in #China,” he wrote.
The FM said that the two leaders discussed enhanced economic engagement, trade, investments, industrialisation and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation and exchange students in the meeting.
He said that Pakistan and China were committed to elevating the partnership to a higher level. The foreign minister’s two-day trip is his first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office last month. Bilawal is in China at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Foreign Office had said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Bilawal and Wang Yi also cut a cake to celebrate the 71 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
In a tweet, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian congratulated Pakistan and China on the 71st anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
In his message, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque said, on 71st anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic ties, we reaffirm to further fortify our iron-clad friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen eco engagement and promote people to people exchanges, thus taking the relations to a high pedestal.
