CPEC to further elevate Pakistan-China friendship: FM Qureshi
Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would further elevate Pakistan-China friendship.
Speaking at a news conference here to highlight last year’s foreign policy achievements, the FM maintained that the Pakistani and the Chinese people want the friendship between to the two countries to grow.
FM Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan and China enjoyed time-tested ties and the whole world including the United States understand it.
The FM stressed that the year 2021 marked an important milestone in Pakistan -China friendship, as the two countries celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner with over 140 events and activities held across Pakistan and China.
“These events reinvigorated the sentiments of bilateral ties, reaffirmed our determination to strengthen all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, continue our joint efforts for the high quality development of CPEC and further elevate Pakistan-China friendship to a new pedestal of bilateral cooperation, as envisaged by the leadership and peoples of the two countries,” he added.
The FM elaborated that Pakistan’s exports to China during the first ten months of 2021 were recorded at US $ 2.85 billion (growth of 77% year when compared to the previous year). “China remained the largest source of Net FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) to Pakistan,” he informed.
FM Qureshi stated that Pakistan achieved historic milestones at the diplomatic fronts through robust economic, public and science diplomacy.
He termed the previous year as a significant one as Pakistan had been proactively and consistently advanced its diplomatic objectives on a range of diplomatic fronts both bilaterally and multilaterally.
He said besides, consolidating friendships, Pakistan further strengthened its bilateral ties with the major powers and key partners across the globe.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan continues to be a leading voice at world fora, with strong advocacy on issues of sustainable and equitable development, climate change and debt relief for the developing countries,” he mentioned.
The FM noted that the major shift in the foreign policy was achieved through increased focus on geo-economics leveraging its geo-political significance.
FM Qureshi highlighted that in 2021 about 85 bilateral exchanges with over 50 countries and 35 senior leadership visits to Pakistan had taken place.
Besides, over 50 high level multilateral engagements, participation at 35 international forums and 32 senior leadership visits by Pakistan were recorded during the previous years, he added.
