Chinese Ambassador briefs FM Qureshi about upcoming events to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties
CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN H.E NONG RONG CALLED ON FOREIGN MINISTER MAKHDOOM SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI AT MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON JUNE 3, 2021.
Islamabad: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong has briefed Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi about the upcoming events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction that both countries had planned a series of events, spread over the entire year, to celebrate this historic milestone in a befitting manner, said a foreign ministry statement issued after the meeting.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on China-Pakistan bilateral relations, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), 70th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations and vaccine cooperation between the two countries, it said.
Pakistan and China have been celebrating their 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties with a series of events starting in March. The allies marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 21.
FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi launched the celebrations in a virtual ceremony in early March. Both the countries would be organizing a series of events throughout the year to commemorate this historic milestone in a befitting manner.
“The Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan and China were iron brothers. He highlighted that, with joint efforts of successive generations and leadership, this relationship had transformed into ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” said the statement.
FM Qureshi said: “Both countries needed to further expand this relationship to realize closer China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in New Era.”
The Foreign Minister appreciated China’s consistent support to Pakistan in its fight against COVID-19. He further underlined that China’s provision of vaccine had been instrumental in saving precious human lives and controlling the pandemic in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Qureshi maintained that CPEC was a transformational project and it remained the Government’s number one priority. The Foreign Minister maintained that CPEC had a contributed to Pakistan’s national development and stressed that Pakistan remained committed to making CPEC a High-Quality Demonstration Project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Chinese Ambassador underscored that inauguration of Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was a major development. He maintained that it would give more confidence to Chinese investors and companies. He emphasized that, during the second phase of CPEC, both sides would jointly work on key areas of industrialization, agricultural cooperation, job creation and socio-economic development.
There was agreement on both sides to ensure expeditious completion of CPEC projects, said the official statement.
