The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China will take the Sino-Pak all-round strategic relationship to new highs, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunying told a press briefing here.
“China has invited Prime Minister Imran Khan to pay an official visit to China in early November and attend the first China International Import Expo. Chinese government attaches great importance to this visit,” the spokesperson said.
“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and the relationship between the two countries has always been operating at a high level. After being elected as prime minister, Imran Khan emphasized that he should continue to regard relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and firmly promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” the spokesperson said, adding, “China highly appreciates this. Shortly after the establishment of the new Pakistani government, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan and reached a broad consensus with the Pakistani leaders on China-Pakistan relations and cooperation in various fields.”
“We are willing to work with the Pakistani side to make China-Pakistan relations a model of good-neighbourliness and friendship, a pillar of regional peace and stability, and a benchmark for building the Belt and Road,” the spokesperson said. “We are willing to work together with the Pakistani side to make Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China a complete success and to promote new and greater development of China-Pakistan relations.”
To a question, the spokesperson said China has noticed difficulties in debt repayment by Pakistan and has supported the Pakistani side to take measures to respond positively. “We have also provided assistance to the Pakistan side to the best of our ability.
We believe that the Pakistani government has the ability to overcome temporary difficulties and maintain a healthy and stable economic development.”
Published in Daily Times, October 27th 2018.
