Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

China is ready to promote continued development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era,  Chinese Premier Li Qiang said during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.

During a meeting with Sharif on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, Li said that China stands ready to continue strengthening cooperation with Pakistan to jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a Xinhua News Agency report on Friday.

Li also called on the two sides to jointly advance major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) so as to promote high-quality development of the corridor, and better contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries.

China and Pakistan have always treated each other sincerely, trusted each other and shared ups and downs, Li said. He noted that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and in achieving its stability, development and prosperity.

Li pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the CPEC.

China will, as always, support Pakistan in accelerating its economic development and enhancing its capacity for sustainable development, Li said.

Li also noted that China hopes that the Pakistani side will resolutely and effectively crack down on all types of domestic terrorist organizations, and ensure the safety of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. Li said that the two sides should jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of China and Pakistan as well as other developing countries.

For his part, Sharif said that Pakistan and China are all-weather friends and iron-clad brothers, and that the friendship between the two countries remains unbreakable.

It is the consensus of various Pakistani political parties and all walks of life to consolidate the friendship between Pakistan and China, Sharif said.

Noting that Pakistan appreciates China for its great support of Pakistan's efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and in its economic development, Sharif said that Pakistan adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sharif also noted that Pakistan opposes any attempt to contain or suppress China, and stands ready with China to mutually support each other in multilateral affairs.

Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that Pakistan will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan.

Earlier on Tuesday, China and Pakistan inked a $4.8 billion deal to construct a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant, announced by the Pakistani prime minister.

Global Times