ISLAMABAD (APP) – Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong stated on Saturday that Pakistan and China are united in safeguarding their common interests and will continue to support each other on significant issues.
He made these remarks during the inauguration of a photo exhibition and the CPEC Library at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Weidong assured that China would persist in supporting Pakistan against any terrorism threats.
Expressing gratitude, Weidong thanked Pakistan for its steadfast support for the One-China principle, emphasising that the friendship between the two nations was time-tested and enjoyed broad-based support among their people.
Weidong mentioned bringing books from China for the CPEC Library, including works by President Xi Jinping on governance and ancient Chinese culture.
Reflecting on his past decade as ambassador to Pakistan, he highlighted the library as a symbol of the strength of their strategic partnership, as evidenced by the various CPEC projects.
Recalling the inauguration of the CPEC project by the Chinese president and Pakistani leadership in 2015, Weidong noted the launch of over 50 agreements across Pakistan.
He expressed happiness over the completion of various CPEC projects, attributing the success to the strategic guidance of the leadership.
Weidong explained that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed to bring shared prosperity to humanity, envisioning it as a means to unite countries in facing economic challenges and turning them into opportunities.
Arriving in Islamabad to attend a CPEC Joint Working Group meeting on Sunday, Weidong stressed that CPEC remained foremost in the all-weather strategic cooperative relationship between Pakistan and China.
Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi highlighted that the China-Pakistan relationship was characterised by common interests, inviting other countries to invest in industry, agriculture, science, and technology projects under CPEC.
He noted that CPEC was a tribute to the wisdom of leaders from different generations who contributed to strengthening bilateral ties.
Later, the Chinese minister and Pakistan’s foreign secretary jointly inaugurated the CPEC Library and exhibition, showcasing photos of various CPEC projects, including the Friendship Hospital, Vocational School, International Airport in Gwadar, and the East Bay Expressway, a crucial infrastructure project connecting the Gwadar port and free-industrial zone with the national highway network.