Qin Gang Holds the Fourth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

On May 6, 2023 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the fourth round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad.

Qin Gang said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and remained rock-solid. China highly appreciates Pakistan's valuable support on issues concerning China's core interests, and will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, back Pakistan in fighting terrorism, and champion Pakistan in maintaining unity and stability, achieving development and prosperity, and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

Qin Gang noted that China is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two countries, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, and advance all-round cooperation between China and Pakistan, so as to add new impetus to the development of bilateral relations and bring stability and positive energy to the region and the world. Both sides should promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), expand cooperation in fields including industry, agriculture, mining, science and technology and information technology, foster new growth drivers of the CPEC, and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China will continue to do what it can to support Pakistan in accelerating development and maintaining financial stability. China is ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in security capacity building and security system, and expects Pakistan to continuously take the strictest measures to ensure the security and safety of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan.

Qin Gang said that China is ready to work with Pakistan to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative in Pakistan first and strengthen coordination with Pakistan within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, firmly safeguarding international fairness and justice, as well as common interests of developing countries.

Noting that Pakistan regards China as an eternal friend, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is the consensus of various Pakistani political parties and all walks of life to consolidate the traditional friendship between Pakistan and China, and deepening Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation is the cornerstone and remains at the center of Pakistan's foreign policy. The Pakistani side appreciates China's assistance in evacuating Pakistani nationals from Sudan and China's great help in its fight against floods. The Pakistani side firmly opposes any attempt to contain China, firmly believes that China will continue to develop and achieve success, and will always stand with China. Pakistan remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, and firmly supports China on all issues related to China's core interests. Pakistan expects to closely cooperate with China to jointly advance the CPEC development, strengthen cooperation in fields including agriculture, trade, finance, connectivity, cultural exchanges, counter-terrorism and defense, and promote the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to enter a new era. The Pakistani side will do its utmost to hunt the suspects of the China-related terrorist attacks, and crack down hard on terrorist organizations such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the Baloch Liberation Army, to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Pakistan supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and appreciates China facilitating the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Pakistan stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral institutions, to jointly combat terrorism and address global challenges including climate change.

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges of views on strategic issues of mutual interest and concern.