Vice President of China Wang Qishan arrived in Islamabad on Sunday afternoon on a three-day official visit to Pakistan. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other high officials received him at the Noor Khan Airbase.

Wang Qishan said that Pakistan and China stand by each other’s core interests and spirit of the Silk Road binds the two countries together with a common heritage and history.

The visiting leader was speaking at his first engagement upon his arrival in Pakistan at a function organised by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), under the banner of “Friends of Silk Road,” a people’s platform linking communities, different segments of society, academia, media and think tanks at a grass root level.

Vice-President Wang Qishan thanked Senator Mushahid Hussain, the Chairman of the PCI and Chairman of Senate Foreign Affairs Committee for hosting this event, which brought together a galaxy of political leaders, senators, MNAs from all political parties and provinces plus youth and women activists, civil society, think-tanks, scholars, intellectuals, artists and business leaders.

He  also referred to the international situation and said that despite challenges, the way forward is globalisation, free trade and people-to-people connectivity. He also appreciated the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and he said that the second phase of CPEC would even bring more benefits for both Pakistan and China. Finally he said, “No matter how the international landscape changes, China will always stand by Pakistan’s core interests, and both Pakistan and China have made the right choice based on equality and mutual benefit.

During the visit, the Chinese vice president will call on President Arif Alvi and have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan and China will sign MoUs and agreements and inaugurate projects to enhance bilateral co-operation in a broad range of areas.

The visit of the Chinese vice president underscores the vitality of the time-tested and all-weather relationship between Pakistan and China. It will reinforce the strength of bilateral ties and impart further impetus to the growing, multi-faceted co-operation between the two countries in diverse fields.

The visit is in continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries, which have acquired an increased momentum since the prime minister’s visit to China in November last year and his participation in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in April this year.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said five Memorandums of Understanding will be signed during the visit of Chinese vice president.

Talking to media in Islamabad, he said the visiting dignitary will also inaugurate some of the projects. He said the Chinese vice president will hold meetings with Alvi, Imran and and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

He said an investiture ceremony will also be held in honour of Wang Qishan, where he will be conferred upon an award for his role to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and China.

The foreign minister said Chinese vice president will also visit historical places in Lahore, where Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will warmly receive the guest.

Qureshi said visit of the Chinese leader indicates strong ties between Islamabad and Beijing and demonstrates resolve of the two countries in developing and promoting China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has said that vice president upcoming visit to Pakistan will further deepen high-level exchanges, friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

He said the visit will also advance the development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor besides bilateral co-operation across the board.

The spokesperson said China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic co-operative partners and iron friends, and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s foreign interests.

He said Pakistan has been a priority on China’s diplomacy and now both the countries have witnessed a sound momentum in their co-operation and frequent high level exchanges.

He said both the countries are deepening the mutually beneficial co-operation and conducting close co-ordination in international and regional affairs.

NNI News Service