-Envoy hails Pakistan’s contributions to maintain peace in region
RAWALPINDI: Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Monday.
Matters of mutual interest, including regional security, were discussed during the meeting, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a Twitter statement.
The two noted “exceptional relations” between both countries and pledged to further improve the same. The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to conflict prevention in the region.
On November 5, the Chinese envoy had called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. FM Qureshi congratulated Nong Rong over taking over as China’s ambassador to Pakistan.
Matters pertaining to bilateral ties, coronavirus situation, Pak-China friendship, CPEC and other issues came under discussion in the meeting. The foreign minister hoped that the relations batten Pakistan and China will further improved during his tenure.
Moreover, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday stressed the need to speed up the completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects at Gwadar enabling the Gwadar Port to achieve its potential.
The Foreign Minister was talking to China’s newly-appointed Ambassador Nong Rong who called on him here.
Lauding his experience and strong credentials, he congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment to Pakistan and hoped that Pakistan-China ties will further deepen and strengthen during his term.
During the meeting, Pakistan-China bilateral relations, cooperation in fighting COVID-19, CPEC, and matters of regional and international interest were discussed. The Foreign Minister underlined that Pakistan and China were ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners’ and both countries supported each other on the issues of their core interest. He thanked China for its steadfast support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, including at the United Nations.
The Foreign Minister maintained that CPEC was a transformational project and hoped that the ambassador, with his experience in trade and infrastructure development will fast track CPEC projects and promote industrialization in Pakistan.
He emphasized that Pakistan and China should deepen and expand co-operation in the agriculture sector, providing opportunities for Pakistan to export its agricultural products to Chinese market.
The Foreign Minister hoped that the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) will be fruitful and mutually beneficial and would lead to inclusion of mega projects in CPEC. He also emphasized the importance Pakistan attached to the Main Line-One (ML-1) project.
It was particularly underscored by the Foreign Minister that the leadership and people of Pakistan were looking forward to welcoming President Xi Jinping and that the 70th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations must be celebrated in a befitting manner.
Ambassador Nong thanked the Foreign Minister for the good wishes conveyed by him and maintained that Pakistan was his second home.
He emphasized that Pakistan-China relationship was anchor for peace, security and development in the region.
He expressed determination that China would firmly support timely completion of CPEC making it a High-Quality Demonstration Project of BRI.
He stressed that Pakistan and China should further deepen cooperation at the multilateral institutions to protect and promote their common interests.
On the other hand, The newly appointed Ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong Friday said China wanted to build China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a high quality model project of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Chinese envoy called on CPEC Authority Chairman Asim Bajwa here to exchange in-depth views on China-Pakistan relations and the construction of the CPEC.
Minister Counselor Pang Chunxue, Chief Executive Officer of Corridor Affairs Authority Ali Shah were also present on the occasion, said a press release issued by the Chinese embassy.
The chairman warmly welcomed Ambassador Nong to take up his new post, saying that the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and will grow stronger over time.
The CPEC is an important project to change the destiny of Pakistan, and it has received the heartfelt support of the Pakistani government and people.
Bajwa said, “The CPEC Authority is committed to providing a windowed one-stop service for the corridor project, and is willing to further strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly promote new progress in cooperation in important areas such as Gwadar Port, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, social-economy, and will effectively protect the safety of CPEC projects and personnel so that the corridor can exert greater economic and social benefits and better benefit the people of the two countries”.
Ambassador Nong appreciated chairman’s firm support for China-Pakistan relations, and thanked chairman and CPEC Authority for their work. Nong said China and Pakistan were all-weather strategic partners, and the CPEC was a pilot project of all-round cooperation between the two countries.
With the care and support of the top leaders of the two countries, the construction of the CPEC has continuously achieved positive results.
“The embassy in Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Authority, further implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries, actively prepare for the 10th JCC, deepen and expand cooperation in the areas of industrial parks, agriculture, and social-economy under CPEC,” he added.–ISPR
