ISLAMABAD   -   Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Monday said that China was attending the 48th meeting of OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers, scheduled here on Tuesday, for developing a partnership with Muslim world besides promoting unity and cooperation for the multilateralism. The Chinese foreign minister, after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, told media that the CFM’s theme of “Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development” had great significance in the current scenario and was also the main purpose of Chinese participation.

In what Foreign Minister Qureshi called a “very comprehensive and detailed meeting,” the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, regional situation as well as the international issues including Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Qureshi told media that it was for the first time that Chinese foreign minister would attend and address the CFM moot which manifested the strong partnership between Pakistan and China.

Earlier, both the countries also signed documents for enhancing cooperation in the fields of higher education and agriculture at a ceremony also witnessed by the two foreign ministers.

Qureshi said they also discussed the extension of China Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan in what the Chinese FM assured for a review considering the changed situation in the war-torn country.

While discussing trade and investment cooperation, Qureshi said, China expressed the desire for the export of Pakistani rice and wheat in order to enhance country’s exports.

The two foreign ministers discussed the counter-terrorism cooperation and a coordinated approach to deal with the terrorist outfits including ETIM and TTP.

Wang Yi spoke high of Pakistan’s steps for security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan also lauded the strict action against those involved in Dasu terrorist attack which had killed the Chinese nationals.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Beijing has expressed the desire to promote Pakistani exports to China by allowing import of more Pakistani rice and improve the balance of trade between the two countries and support Pakistani agriculture.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad on Monday evening along with his Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi, he said we had a good overview of our commercial, bilateral trade and investment opportunities. He said we also signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding that will further facilitate bilateral cooperation in different fields.

Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked China for supporting Pakistan in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and told media that Chinese FM had assured the country for its constant support till its removal from the Grey List. He also thanked China for giving a rollover of $2 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan to support Pakistan’s economy and also mentioned his upcoming visit to China within few days which he said showed the limit of interaction cooperation and understanding.

Wang Yi, who is on his first visit to Pakistan after COVID-19 pandemic, said China would expand its support to Pakistan in poverty reduction, modernizing agriculture sector for a sustainable development.

He called for a closer multilateral cooperation on regional and international issues including Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Pakistan and China cemented their friendship further yesterday by vowing to further facilitate bilateral cooperation in different fields.

Speaking at a joint news conference here along with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said both the countries had a “good overview of our commercial, bilateral trade and investment opportunities.”

He said China had expressed the desire to promote Pakistani exports to China by allowing import of more Pakistani rice and improve the balance of trade between the two countries and support Pakistani agriculture.

“Pakistan and China also signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding that will further facilitate bilateral cooperation in different fields,” he said.

The Chinese FM is in Pakistan to participate in the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as a special guest.

He said the two sides agreed to have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of OIC Session of Council of Foreign Minister.

“We have concluded a comprehensive review of our bilateral relations, the regional challenges and the evolving situation in Ukraine,” the FM added.

He said the two sides discussed the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and Chinese Foreign Minister is of the view that we can revisit because of the changed environment within Afghanistan, which would support regional integrity and prosperity.

“On counterterrorism, both the sides have agreed to have a coordinated approach in dealing with organizations like ETIM, TTP, who have been destructive and a menace for peace and security,” Qureshi said.

Pakistan and China reiterated the commitment to maintain the current momentum of bilateral relations and further expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Ealier, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Qureshi said this day is special for Pak-China friendship. He said the occasion was also important because the Chinese Foreign Minister is attending the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting for the first time. Qureshi also condoled over the tragic loss of lives in the passenger plane crash in China.

The foreign ministers had a detailed discussion on further strengthening the deep bilateral ties. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and reiterated the need to use dialogue and diplomacy for a lasting peace.

Qureshi apprised State Councillor Wang Yi of the grave human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India’s irresponsible behaviour. He said India’s irresponsible attitude is a major obstacle to regional peace and security.

The Foreign Minister also thanked China for announcing to deposit two billion dollars with the State Bank of Pakistan.

Talking about evolving situation in Afghanistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there is once again an opportunity for initiating the trilateral process between China-Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The FM said he would soon be visiting China on the invitation of his Chinese Counterpart to participate in the meeting of immediate neighbours of Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister said it is the first time that a Chinese Foreign Minister is going to participate in the OIC CFM, which reflects special relationships between Pakistan and China.

He said Pakistan is appreciative of the fact that China is desirous of collaborating with the OIC and developing a better understanding with the Islamic countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi thanked Foreign Minister Qureshi for inviting him to the 48th meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. He said China was committed to everlasting friendship with Pakistan and development under the CPEC.