ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressing satisfactionover thriving Pak-China relations in all fields Thursday hoped thatmultifaceted strategic cooperation including the security and defense tiesof the time-tested friends would further strengthen for the sharedobjective of peace and development in the region.
The Prime Minister expressed these views as he received Vice ChairmanCentral Military Commission of China General Zhang Youxia and hisdelegation here at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs Engr. Khurrum Dastgir and seniorofficers were present during the meeting.
Welcoming the Vice Chairman Central Military Commission to Pakistan, as hisfirst foreign destination, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that hisvisit would further strengthen the existing strategic relations andmultifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and China.
He also conveyed his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and theChinese Premier Li Keqiang and extended invitation to the Chineseleadership to visit Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan welcomed President Xi’s remarks ofterming Pakistan a pillar of regional peace and stability and observed thatPresident Xi’s leadership and his vision was a source of inspiration.
President Xi’s Belt and Road initiative of development and connectivitywould change the destiny of the region, he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated firm commitment of the government of Pakistanfor early implementation of all China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)related projects which he said would serve as a game changer for the regionand would help realize the trade and economic potential existing betweenthe two countries.
Regional situation and Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability in theregion also came under discussion.
General Zhang Youxia appreciated the huge sacrifices that Pakistan had madein the war against terrorism and for the peace in the region.
He observed that the immense sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan andits armed forces deserve to be fully recognized by the internationalcommunity.
Expressing satisfaction over the existing level of defence cooperation andmilitary relations of the two countries, General Zhang Youxia expressed thehope that various international fora including the Shanghai CooperationOrganization would help further cementing these ties and securitycooperation between the two countries. – APP