Pakistan and China have agreed to remain engaged for the inclusion of third parties to the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to enhance regional connectivity further.
A statement issued here by Foreign Office on Sunday following talks between the two sides in Beijing said that the two sides agreed on this at the third round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) – a common institutional mechanism between Pakistan and China – on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Dr Asad Majeed Khan led the Pakistan delegation and Chinese vice-minister for foreign affairs Sun Weidong led the Chinese side.
“Noting the completion of a decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to CPEC, which remains a major pillar of bilateral cooperation and a symbol of ever-deepening friendship between them Pakistan and China,” the Foreign Office said in a statement on Sunday.
“They also agreed to remain engaged in the expansion of CPEC including on participation of third parties to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation,” it added.
Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. They agreed to expand and reinforce political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people ties.
Foreign Secretary Khan thanked the Chinese side for its consistent and generous support for economic stability in Pakistan and the humanitarian assistance during last year’s devastating floods.
On occasion, Vice-Minister Sun reaffirmed China’s support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic security of Pakistan, according to the statement.
The two sides also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest. They expressed satisfaction over their close cooperation and engagement on important regional developments, including in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan and China will further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in multilateral platforms,” it added.