China and Pakistan have reiterated their support for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The statement said that the issue should be resolved by relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions and bilateral agreements while avoiding any unilateral action. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir dispute was left over from history and called for a peaceful resolution.
The two sides also reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations and cooperation, including political, strategic, economic, defense security, education, and cultural domains. They discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest during the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to the resolution of all outstanding disputes and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.
The joint statement also reaffirmed Pakistan’s special place in China’s neighborhood diplomacy and reiterated China’s firm support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its unity, stability, and economic prosperity. Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the “One China” policy and its firm support for China on all core issues of its national interest, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
Referring to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the statement said that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to its high-quality development and noted with satisfaction the steady progress of CPEC projects. Both sides maintained that CPEC is an open and inclusive platform for win-win cooperation and invited third parties to maximize benefits from it.
They reviewed the progress of various projects at Gwadar and reaffirmed their intent to turn the region into a high-quality port and a hub for trade and connectivity. The two foreign ministers underlined that Pakistan-China friendship was a historic reality and a conscious choice of the two nations. Pakistan expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for its economic and financial support and its generous assistance package for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The joint statement also emphasized the need to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Chinese side praised measures taken by Pakistan to ensure enhanced security of Chinese projects, personnel, and institutions in Pakistan, as well as the steps are taken to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators targeting Chinese nationals in Dasu, Karachi, and other attacks. Both sides agreed to further build on the cooperation in security and counter-terrorism domains.
Lastly, the two sides underscored the need for the international community to provide continued assistance and support to Afghanistan, including unfreezing the country’s overseas financial assets. The joint statement concluded that the dialogue between China and Pakistan was productive, friendly, and forward-looking and that both sides looked forward to further deepening and expanding the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
