Pakistan and China sign several agreements, MoUs as FM Wang Yi visits Islamabad

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have signed several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Islamabad.

After a meeting between Foreign Minister Yi and Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the two sides inked an agreement between the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificates and Degrees.

They also signed a MoU between China International Development Cooperation Agency and Pakistan Ministry of Economic Affairs on the Project of China-Pakistan Joint Research Center (CPJRC) on Earth Sciences.

The two sides signed Letter of Exchange (LOE) for Agricultural Equipment and Materials.

Another Letter of Exchange (LOE) for Joint Agricultural Technology Laboratory Equipment and Materials was also signed.

The two sides inked a separate Letter of Exchange (LOE) for Agricultural Demonstration Station Equipment and Materials.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi received the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to his Chinese counterpart, State Councilor Wang Yi, on the loss of precious lives in a crash of China Eastern flight today, adding that “our hearts go out to the bereaved families of the victims of the tragic crash.”

The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing situation in Ukraine and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Ways to further strengthen the iron-clad friendship between the two countries were discussed. Foreign Minister Qureshi welcomed Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s participation in the 48th Session of Council of Foreign Affairs Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC-CFM) and attending the Pakistan Day Parade on March 23. Recalling his recent visits to China, Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed the significance of China in Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He underlined that the two countries had always supported each other on their respective core interests, and at every critical juncture, said an official statement.

Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated tangible progress in deepening bilateral cooperation across all areas after the Prime Minister’s visit to China last month for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The Foreign Minister added that the leaders’ consensus and vision for all round upgrading of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, especially in terms of high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II, was rapidly becoming a reality with concerted efforts and follow-up by both sides.

The two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and reiterated the need for a solution through sustained dialogue and diplomacy.

The Foreign Minister also emphasized that both countries must continue deeper engagement to promote peace, and stability in Afghanistan and avert the humanitarian crisis there.

The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the resolve to sustain and build upon the current momentum of bilateral relations.