*Beijing: *China today defended Pakistan saying the world community shouldacknowledge its all-weather ally’s “outstanding contribution” to counterterrorism, a day after US President Donald Trump lashed out at Islamabadfor providing safe havens to terrorists, Press Trust of India has reported.
Mr Trump had on Monday accused Pakistan of “lies and deceit” and of foolingUS leaders while sheltering terrorists.
“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billiondollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing butlies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools,” Mr Trump had tweetedyesterday.
“They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with littlehelp. No more!”, he said in a scathing criticism of Pakistan.
Today China, on expected lines, praised Pakistan’s counter terrorism record.
“Pakistan has made enormous efforts and sacrifice for the fight againstterrorism and has made very outstanding contribution to the global cause ofcounter terrorism. The international community should acknowledge that,”Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said here when asked aboutTrump’s criticism of Pakistan.
He said China is glad to see Pakistan engaging in internationalcooperation, including counter terrorism, on the basis of mutual respect soas to contribute to regional peace and stability.
“China and Pakistan are all weather partners. We stand ready to promote anddeepen our all-round cooperation so as to bring benefits to the two sides,”Mr Geng said.
China is currently investing heavily in Pakistan as part of the USD 50billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over which India has raisedobjections as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
During the first ever trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China,Pakistan and Afghanistan here last week, Beijing had announced plans toextend the CPEC to Afghanistan which shares close ties with India.
Afghanistan also accuses Pakistan of sheltering Taliban militants, leadingto a long running spat between the two countries. China is seeking tomediate between the two neighbours through the trilateral mechanism.
Analysts here say US is mounting pressure on Pakistan as it has firmed upan alliance with Beijing by allowing heavy Chinese investments in thestrategic CPEC corridor providing China access to the Arabian Sea and theIndian Ocean.
Asked whether Mr Trump’s criticism would affect China’s efforts to bringpeace between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Geng said “We believe as neighboursChina, Pakistan and Afghanistan are closely linked not only geographicallybut also in terms of common interests. It is natural for us to enhancecommunication and exchanges”.
He said during the December 26 trilateral meet, the three countries”reached a lot of consensus” on cooperation. This included the threenations enhancing cooperation on counter terrorism and fighting againstterrorism in all forms and manifestations. “The parties will enhancecooperation in this regard,” Mr Geng said.
In his strongest attack against Pakistan yet, Mr Trump in his first tweetof the year on New Year’s Day also appeared to suggest he could cut offforeign aid to Pakistan.
His remarks came days after the New York Times reported that the US isconsidering withholding USD 225 million in aid to Pakistan, reflecting itsdissatisfaction with Islamabad’s reluctance in the war against terrorism.