Wang Yi holds talks with Pakistani FM Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi

On September 8, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan in Islamabad.

Congratulating on Pakistan's successful conclusion of the election process, Wang Yi expressed that China respects the choice the Pakistani people has independently made. We believe that under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the new government will unite and lead all Pakistani people to work together as one to overcome difficulties and move toward the goal of building a new Pakistan. In this new historical process, as a good friend, good partner and good neighbor of Pakistan, China will unswervingly stand with Pakistan.

Wang Yi pointed out that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The relations between the two countries have been established on the basis of long-term mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual trust and our relations have transcended party differences and government changes, which are as unshakeable as a mountain. China and Pakistan are iron brothers with a lips-and-teeth relationship who shares weal and woe. The indestructible friendship between us has withstood the test of international vicissitudes and the passing of time and has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. We appreciate that the new Pakistani government has repeatedly stressed that it will continue to regard its relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. China will also continue to take Pakistan as a priority in China's foreign policy and neighborhood diplomacy. The Chinese side will firmly support Pakistan's new government in its smooth administration, make all-out efforts to help Pakistan realize new development goals, consolidate strategic mutual trust and strategic coordination, better promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enhance the level of all-round cooperation, and deepen friendship between the two peoples, so as to constantly elevate China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new stages and forge a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future.

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted that Pakistan and China are the most reliable partners and closest friends. The two countries are iron brothers like evergreen trees, and will not be affected by the change of governments. The new Pakistani government fully supports the unique all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China, and always regards its relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. The Pakistani side has always been, and will be fully supportive to issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. The Chinese side has also been standing with the Pakistani side on issues involving Pakistan's national security and sovereignty. The new Pakistani government is pushing forward an ambitious reform agenda, and stands ready to learn from China's experience in such fields as economic development, poverty alleviation, disaster reduction, anti-corruption and environmental protection, among which the promotion of the CPEC is the top priority. Pakistan is also willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation in anti-terrorism and defense, and intensify coordination and cooperation on international and multilateral occasions, in a bid to elevate Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a new level.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.