Friendship with China cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: Foreign secretary

BEIJING - Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua called on Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Monday at the start of her three-day visit to China.

During the meeting in capital Beijing, the foreign secretary reaffirmed that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and reiterated Pakistan’s support for China on its core issues.

Mr Yang Jiechi noted that the recent visit of Chinese vice Premier Wang Yang to Pakistan to participate in celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of Independence on 14 August 2017 was in keeping with the long-standing traditions of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Both sides acknowledged that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and early completion of projects would bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Both the dignitaries discussed regional and international situation. Janjua also briefed the Chinese state councilor about the grave situation of Kashmiri people in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Following her meeting with the Mr Jiechi, she addressed researchers, scholars and academics at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) on “Foreign Policy of Pakistan and regional and global situation,” which was followed by an interactive question and answer session.