Updated on
Summary
The Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and chief of PML-N Nawaz Sharif, who is currently visiting China for medical checkup of his wife, was received by Vice-President and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping at Great Hall of the People. During the hour-long cordial and friendly exchange of views, the two leaders held a wide ranging exchange on subjects of bilateral interest as well as the regional situation and matters of global concern. Nawaz Sharif conveyed the warm greetings of the people of Pakistan and high regard for this countrys leadership. He recalled his earlier visits to China, while noting the remarkable successes achieved by China in the past thirty years, while the envy of the world. He also referred to Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation as it is based on trust and confidence and stressed that this was one point on which all governments in Pakistan were of the same view, and strongly supported the strengthening and reinforcing of these ties, which were the strong factor in ensuring peace and stability in South Asia. The Chinese Vice-President referred to Nawaz Sharif as old and trusted friend of China and recalled the role played by him during his two tenures as Prime Minister, in consolidating their bilateral ties in many areas, including the critical sectors relating to national security. Xi Jinping reiterated that while the international situation was undergoing major transformations, China-Pakistan relations would continue to grow and prosper as it enjoyed support of their peoples and was to their mutual advantage. The two leaders also noted unanimity of view on all issues. Earlier, in the day, Liu Hong Cai, the Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of CPC hosted a breakfast meeting for Nawaz Sharif, while Minister Wang Jiariu met Nawaz Sharif at a lunch hosted by him. Both these ministers stressed that China-Pakistan relations had stood the test of time and could therefore be rightly described as higher than the Himalaya, deeper than the Arabian Sea and sweeter than honey. Nawaz Sharif assured the ministers of full support and solidarity of the Pakistani people with their Chinese brothers on all issues of their core interest. Both sides agreed to further strengthen party to party relations as its serves the most useful purpose of deepening trust, understanding and friendship between their peoples.
