-India’s Hindutva policies are a threat to regional peace, FM tells Chinese counterpart
-China assures Pakistan of over million COVID vaccine doses for emergency use
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday reaffirmed the commitment of their countries to collaborate for peace and stability in the region.
Matters of mutual interest, bilateral ties, Afghan peace process, COVID-19 vaccine and other issues came under discussion during the telephone call. FM Qureshi said that Pakistan will continue to support the “One China policy”. He also greeted his Chinese counterpart on the eve of the new year.
Mr. Qureshi drew the attention of his Chinese counterpart to the Indian atrocities and said that the Modi government was pursuing Hindutva policies and was seriously endangering the peace and stability of the entire Asian region. The Foreign Minister stressed the need for immediate action by the international community to stop the exploitation of the Kashmiri people by the Indian occupying forces and the continuing serious human rights violations in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Qureshi told China that promotion of bilateral cooperation and ties between Pakistan and China was essential to tackle the rapidly changing global scenario and challenges.
The Foreign Minister wished his Chinese counterpart a Happy New Year and wished him well. He said that deep and ideal friendship between Pakistan and China is considered a guarantor of peace and stability in the region. Pakistan supports China s domestic policies on national security, including the One China Policy.
He said that it was gratifying that the leadership of both the countries was committed to expedite the completion of the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Shah Mehmood said that China s services in the prevention of Coronavirus epidemic and in the development of vaccines are commendable. A trial of a Chinese-made vaccine is also being conducted in Pakistan.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, investment, technology exchange, research and science. Shah Mehmood told his counterpart that we wish Chinese President Xi Jinping an early visit to Pakistan.
The two Foreign Ministers had a special exchange of views on peace efforts in Afghanistan. Both Foreign Ministers welcomed the convening of the Inter-Afghan Dialogue and the agreement on rules and regulations. The Foreign Ministers also reiterated their commitment to adopt a joint strategy for peace and stability in the region and to continue joint efforts.
Earlier on August 21, Pakistan and China had reached consensus to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests and promote peace, prosperity, and development in the region.
The consensus to this effect had been reached during the second round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Hainan, China, that day.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi had represented Pakistan while the Chinese side was represented by the State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office.
After Pakistan approved Chinese Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19, China on Thursday assured that they would work to ensure provision of over a million doses to the country for emergency use.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said that third phase of clinical trials of Chinese vaccine were progressing well in Pakistan and hoped that it would be made available early in the country.
He emphasized that China had made remarkable achievement in developing COVID-19 vaccines.
He maintained that the government had approved Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use in Pakistan and expressed hope for its early availability from China.
