IRIA News

Pakistan and China to further strengthen economic partnership, regional connectivity, and cooperation in fighting terrorism

Pakistan and China agreed reaffirmed strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship as the leaders of the two countries met on February 6 in Beijing. Pakistani premier visited Beijing to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics and concluded his official trip on Sunday.

This was the first meeting of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping since October 2019. The extensive meeting which resulted in a lengthy 33-point joint statement comes amid Beijing’s strained ties with the Western countries, many of whom announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The talks focused on the significance of China-Pakistan strategic relations. President Xi urged the two countries to “further strengthen economic cooperation, regional connectivity, and cooperation in fighting terrorism.”

Pakistani premier said that China remains Pakistan’s “steadfast partner, staunch supporter and iron brother”, appreciated continued support to the country’s socio-economic development and thanked China for providing COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan which have been a mainstay of the country’s mass vaccination drive.

Pakistani premier also held wide-ranging talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang a day earlier. The two sides signed and concluded a number of agreements in areas of industry, investment, infrastructure, space, vaccine, digitalization, economic and technical, disaster management, culture, sports, and vocational education.

Support to each other on core issues

Pakistan voiced its commitment to the One-China policy and support for China on Taiwan, the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, according to the joint statement. The Chinese side reaffirmed support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, socio-economic development, and prosperity.

CPEC and regional connectivity

Pakistan and China reaffirmed their support for the development of the $62 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connecting China’s Xinjiang with Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar via roads, rail, and energy pipelines. They acknowledged the major contribution of CPEC projects in strengthening Pakistan’s key role in regional connectivity while modernizing its economic base. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to making all-out efforts for the security of all Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation across all areas including in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture modernization, scientific and technological cooperation. Pakistan and China would also launch the China-Pakistan health, industry, trade, green and digital corridors.

The joint communiqué described Gwadar as a “central pillar of CPEC and important node in regional connectivity.” They agreed to jointly accelerate the construction and operation of Gwadar Port and build Gwadar low-carbon circular industry zone to create job opportunities for the local people.

Defense and fight against terrorism

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the joint statement said. Pakistan and China agreed to continue the defense cooperation at multiple levels. The joint statement described stronger defense and security cooperation as an “important factor of peace and stability in the region.” The defense cooperation between the two neighbors is significantly growing. The two have jointly developed JF-17 fighter jets.

Boost industrialization

The two countries signed a framework agreement on industrial cooperation to leverage the private sectors and entrepreneurs of both countries to contribute to industrialization in Pakistan. Industrial cooperation is the core area in the second phase of CPEC to boost industrial manufacturing and accelerate economic growth in Pakistan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on February 6. Wang said “Beijing seeks high-quality development through the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” and emphasized China’s support for Pakistan industrializing and modernizing its own agriculture. Qureshi said that Pakistan looks forward to deepening bilateral ties in areas like technology and defense.

Trade and e-commerce

Pakistan and China witnessed a record surge in trade volume last year. The two sides agreed to further expand bilateral trade relations by fully utilizing the Pakistan-China free trade agreement. They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in e-commerce, setting up online payment systems and cooperating in logistics, warehousing and customs facilitation.

Afghanistan and the region

The two leaders emphasized the importance of a peaceful, stable and safe Afghanistan for the prosperity and progress of the whole region. They said that they are ready to discuss with Afghanistan the prospects of China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral foreign ministers’ dialogue. They also discussed the possibility of extending CPEC to Afghanistan during the talks in Beijing. The two sides underscored the need to expedite humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and its people to avert the looming crisis and called upon the international community to provide support to Afghanistan including through unfreezing of Afghanistan’s financial assets

The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest situation on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. President Xi reaffirmed his support for Pakistan to diminish India’s control over the Kashmir region, saying “China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.