ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan Saturday evolved a joint strategy to counter terrorist attacks targeting the projects linked to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by China.
In a joint presser of the third session of the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue of China and Pakistan held in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, China, both the sides vehemently condemned the recent terrorist attack in Dasu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and pledged that China-Pakistan partnership would emerge stronger through this test against terrorism and also discussed at length the terrorist attack and promised joint action against the terrorism and its masterminds.
The terrorist attack in Dasu had caused loss of around 12 precious lives including nine Chinese and three Pakistani citizens. Dozens of Pakistani and Chinese workers sustained injuries.
The Pakistan side conveyed its profound condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families, emphasised that the sacrifices of Chinese nationals would not go in vain, and promised to ensure medical treatment, care and comfort of the injured.
Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi led the Pakistani delegation, which also included director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG-ISI). Foreign Minister Wang Yi led the Chinese side.
Other than Dasu terrorist attack, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, Covid-19 pandemic, peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and international and regional issues of mutual interest. The sides reached consensus to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests and promote peace, prosperity and development in the region.
Both sides recalled that the enduring Pakistan-China friendship has reached the momentous milestone of the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, being enthusiastically marked in the two countries with holding of more than hundred celebratory events throughout this year, demonstrating warmth and deep sentiments of their unshakable fraternal bonds.
Extending felicitations to the Chinese side on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Pakistani side recognised CPC’s immense contributions for the Chinese people, China’s stellar rise at the world stage, and its unrivalled achievement of lifting 800 million people out of poverty.
The Pakistan side wished the Chinese government and people greater success in achieving the goal of socialist modernization in 2035 and building a modern, prosperous, beautiful, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious socialist country in 2049.
Both sides reviewed with satisfaction their close cooperation in successfully controlling the spread of Covid-19, cooperation in protective and medical equipment, vaccine development and ensuring early post-pandemic economic recovery.
