Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday while expressing satisfaction over the ever-growing bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, said that both were trusted friends and nothing could come between them.
Addressing a presser along with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi after holding the third session of the foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue in Chengdu, the capital city of Chinese Sichuan province, he said the bilateral relations between the two countries were moving in the right direction.
“Our strategic, economic, and security cooperation moved at speed and determination. I reassure, the leadership and people of China that we are friends and will remain as friends. Let the world know…. that we are trusted, friends, and nothing comes between us,” he added.
The foreign minister said in today’s meeting, both sides co-shared their point of view on further strengthening this cooperation in a very friendly and cordial atmosphere in which both sides reiterated support to each other.
The foreign minister said that they discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and held a threadbare discussion over the situation there.
He said that on the situation in Afghanistan, ‘Pakistan and China are on the same page, shared same objectives and our interests over Afghanistan converged.’
The foreign minister said Pakistan played a role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process which was widely acknowledged.
He regretted that certain people had been harsh in statements but in the larger interest of peace and stability of the region, Pakistan showed restraint.
He noted with appreciation that China had contributed to Pakistan’s social and economic development and the CPEC was a clear manifestation of how they would proceed in the future.