Imran Khan’s upcoming visit to China another proof of love and closeness: FM Qureshi
Gwadar Pro
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s upcoming visit to Iron Brother China to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics is another proof of love and closeness between the two all-weather friends, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.
Speaking to Gwadar Pro, the top diplomat maintained that China had an exclusively important position in Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“The highest level visits prove that we (Pakistan and China) are very close and this closeness continues to grow with time,” he remarked.
FM Qureshi was optimistic that PM Khan’s meeting with the Chinese leadership will be helpful. “Our (Pakistan and China’s) meetings are always positive. We always end up with something good for both the nations,” he noted.
He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that sports should not be politicized. “We wish China good luck in hosting the Winter Olympics,” he stated.
Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that PM Khan will visit China from February 3-5. FO spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed elaborated that during the Prime Minister’s visit, officials of Islamabad and Beijing would discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), among other matters.
The Pakistani PM’s presence will be of great significance as some major western countries have decided on the diplomatic boycott of the mega event, set to begin on February 4.
The United States, Britain, Australia, and Canada have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, while North Korea was the latest country to pull out, citing the pandemic.
Though athletes from around the world will travel to compete in the four-yearly event, no dignitaries from these western countries are expected to watch the Games.
China also highly appreciated and welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics Games.
Addressing a news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a three-day visit to China from February 3 at the invitation of the Chinese leadership.
During the visit, the spokesperson added, the PM will attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics Games, Beijing 2022 and will have interaction with the Chinese leadership to further strengthen Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
