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ISLAMABAD: In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Mr Wang Yi on Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan looks forward to welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"We believe this important visit would further strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries," the premier said, adding that the Chinese president's visit will bring them closer to achieving the dream of building a “Pak-China community of shared destiny”.
The premier underscored Pakistan attaches high importance to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expressed confidence that President Xi’s expected visit would help fast-track CPEC early harvest projects.
The Chinese foreign minister also informed PM Nawaz that the purpose of his visit is to prepare for President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan.
Welcoming Mr Wang Yi on his first official visit to Pakistan, PM Nawaz also said that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, emphasising that China has always been a sincere friend of Pakistan.
PM Nawaz further said security for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan is a matter of high priority for Pakistan and special arrangements are being made for this purpose.
Mr Wang Yi, in turn, thanked the government for taking measures to improve security of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign minister also conveyed the greetings of Chinese Prime Minister Mr Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping to PM Nawaz, adding that China appreciates the importance Pakistan attaches to friendship with China and the contribution the premier has personally made to take this relationship to new heights.
Mr Wang Yi said that during the Chinese president's visit, both sides will hold in-depth discussions on all matters of mutual interest including economy, security and regional developments in the backdrop of changing international scenario.
The Chinese foreign minister said that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and frequent bilateral exchanges have further strengthened this relationship.
President Xi attaches great importance to the relationship with Pakistan and cherishes the trust and friendship between the two countries, he said.
The Chinese foreign minister also said that the menace of terrorism and extremism is the common enemy of both Pakistan and China, adding that China will continue its cooperation with Pakistan in successfully overcoming this challenge.
Pakistan and China are celebrating 2015 as their year of friendly exchanges which has formally begun with Mr Wang Yi's visit and will be followed by a series of high level bilateral visits from both sides.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry were present during the meeting.
Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Mr Sun Weidong was also present on the occasion.
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel and Chinese foreign minister discuss security matters
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Army Chief General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Islamabad and discussed security matters and bilateral defence cooperation.
According to sources, the army chief briefed the Chinese foreign minister about progress made in the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb in the tribal areas of Pakistan and elsewhere.
Mr Wang Yi appreciated the sacrifices made by the Pakistani armed forces in the war against terrorism.
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On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
Feb 13, 2015 12:54pm
You said its deeper than ocean.. If you further dig, volcano will erupt..
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Feb 13, 2015 12:57pm
Pak and China are already "all weather friends" right? What does it mean to deepen the relationship? Does that mean some trust gaps are forming up between Pak and China?
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Feb 13, 2015 12:59pm
China-Pakistan relation is already deeper than ocean. Now what deapth are you looking for?
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Feb 13, 2015 01:05pm
Hmmm...so after the visit of Chinese PM, the date of Premier Xi's visit is not announced. Unlikely that he will be the chief guest o Pakistan day parade.
In absence of this announcement Nawaz was left with the banal 'further deepen ties'. Ho w do you further deepen, deeper than ocean, one wonders.
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Feb 13, 2015 01:14pm
The PPP administration didn't get far with China relations, did they?
Nawaz Sharif is intelligent, and the Chinese want to know the man at the top they are dealing with is "in charge."
Now there is a prime minister who is in sync with the Pakistan military. The Peoples Liberation Army in China is equally a political entity which must be consulted by the politicians. Nawaz Sharif is on the same page.
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Feb 13, 2015 01:19pm
Yes, Mr.Prime Minister ,We understand, how who is benefiting
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Feb 13, 2015 01:20pm
Stop this everyday bla bla of deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries , because the depth of the things is in their realisation on the ground.
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Feb 13, 2015 01:23pm
Pakistan always saying that relationship formed based on equality basis...Is this also exist in China-PAK & US-PAK relationship....One (US) is doing their one sided business & give aid in cost....While China also do their one sided business to keep india in watch...and a window for Middle East....
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Feb 13, 2015 01:37pm
Even after China has signed to support India in UN Pakistan will still see the best friend in China ? I see a better friendship BTW India and China :-))
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Feb 13, 2015 01:43pm
Lets all of us demand one thing from our friend foriegn minister Wang yi. Please give us your word that no chinese company will be paying comission to our rulers, bureaucrates etc directly or indirectly. We will be thankful.
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Feb 13, 2015 01:50pm
@kumar, No it means they will find new areas to collaborate in. And that includes providing Pakistan with some more nuclear reactors and cooperation in defence related matters like extending drones technology and developing high tech weapons together. Didn't you listen Wang saying that. And in return as Aziz said Pakistan promised to learn them play cricket.
Hope you got your answer.
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Feb 13, 2015 01:57pm
Then how come China invests more in India than in pakistan?
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Feb 13, 2015 02:01pm
Deepen & Diversify : After US shoulder Pakistan is in need of some shoulder to cry and Chinese with their longer vision want to use under developed Pakistan 1. To promote their business & home industry. 2. How fast Pakistan's internal environment supports it will be the degree of further Chinese involvement.3 Chinese know the degree of politician's honesty and hence will push their substandard materials too using Pak as a sales outlet .Past import if railway engines are a case to remember.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:05pm
Deepen & Diversify : After US shoulder Pakistan is in need of some shoulder to cry and Chinese with their longer vision want to use under developed Pakistan 1. To promote their business & home industry. 2. How fast Pakistan's internal environment supports it will be the degree of further Chinese involvement.3 Chinese know the degree of politician's honesty and hence will push their substandard materials too using Pak as a sales outlet .Past import if railway engines are a case to remember.
Now that civilian rulers in Pak have bowed to GHQ , external relations in particular will have to have its stamp barring permissions to rare bird hunters from S Arabia.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:16pm
@hindustani "China-Pakistan relation is already deeper than ocean. Now what deapth are you looking for?"
A depth that will annoy Indians as can be seen from the comments lol
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Feb 13, 2015 02:17pm
Deepen & Diversify : After US shoulder Pakistan is in need of some shoulder to cry and Chinese with their longer vision want to use under developed Pakistan 1. To promote their business & home industry. 2. How fast Pakistan's internal environment supports it will be the degree of further Chinese involvement.3 Chinese know the degree of politician's honesty and hence will push their substandard materials too using Pak as a sales outlet .Past import if railway engines are a case to remember.
Now that civilian rulers in Pak have bowed to GHQ , external relations in particular will have to have its stamp barring permissions for rare bird hunters from S Arabia or statement issuance. US has always engaged Pak Military and now Chinese will increse their involvement for reasons of supressing Muslim unrest at home.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:24pm
Interesting development after China supporting india at the UN membership.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:27pm
It's hilarious how they fool common people. When is Xi visiting Pakistan?
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Feb 13, 2015 02:38pm
As long as China fills up the bank account, no one can remain without hailing china. Please show up the benefits of this relation to the common public rather than keeping them for your own benefit.
General Raheel, please ask the chinese to be pro pakistan rather than being pro Nawaz.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:41pm
To explain to indians, who are hurting inside, because what they read does not fit in with their false perception of the geo politics. The reference here is to the great trading and power block being formed by China-Pakistan, which will spread from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, then to Sri Lanka and other Asiatic ocean countries. No need to sulk indians, you know what one resolution needs to be implemented, then you can join the party, otherwise stay isolated and poor. Choice is yours, no hollow meaningless comments.
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Feb 13, 2015 02:45pm
Dilko behalane ke liye ye khayal achcha hai !!!
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Feb 13, 2015 02:58pm
@Ero security issues are preventing his visit but on parade day he will be safe surrounded by so many weapons supplied by Chinese themselves
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Feb 13, 2015 03:04pm
No deeper than ocean, taller than mountains and sweeter than honey poetic stuff for Chinese. For them relationship with Pakistan is as deep as a pond, shorter than a small hill and as sweet as a half tea spoon of brown sugar. As long as Pakistan serves it's interest. You can't blame them for being realistic about their policies.
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Feb 13, 2015 03:05pm
The news item repeats usual sentiments between China and Pakistan...but the comments are mostly from those who feel threatened from this relationship, instead of working for the piece in the region, are showing their unfulfilled desire of achieving regional hegemony, something they will never succeed in, and at the same time, will not let the region stabilise thus serving the interests of their foreign masters sitting thousands of miles away!
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Feb 13, 2015 03:36pm
It is hilarious to hear Indians getting so uptight! just chill out and go to bed with Israelis an d perhaps not look for jobs in the middle east!.
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Feb 13, 2015 03:53pm
@Rajesh "Interesting development after China supporting india at the UN membership"
First of all India is already a UN member. You are referring to China supporting India for UNSC membership. What China actually said was "China supports bigger role for India in UNSC" BUT "it will make the final decision after carefully considering all aspects". This is definitely not a carte blanch support as most Indians seem to think. If you know China you will know that this generally means we will support India ONLY when we feel it is not going to threaten our interests. India supports Japan's membership in UNSC as well in return for Japan's support but China does not support Japan's membership so it is sort of a gridlock. China is not known for making hasty decisions so expect this to drag on for now.
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Feb 13, 2015 04:01pm
@Zak it doesn't cost any thing to build castles in the air.
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Feb 13, 2015 04:05pm
I thought the corner stone of Pakistans foreign policy was Kashmir. China only becomes relevant to Pakistan because of Kashmir.
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Feb 13, 2015 04:06pm
@lafanga ya it is really heart burning to see Pakistan getting away with very high quality technology and military wares along with heavy direct investments which will catapult Pakistan in the category of most developed nations with rapidly expanding economy and we will remain poor starving Indians. ?
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Feb 13, 2015 04:18pm
Please try to further unite your people through real political steps. The world will join with you.
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Feb 13, 2015 04:24pm
Mountains can fly rivers can dry Chinese can forget us not never I
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Feb 13, 2015 04:30pm
Chinese friendship, does Pakistan have any other choice.
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Feb 13, 2015 04:32pm
"Mr Wang Yi said that during the Chinese president's visit, both sides will hold in-depth discussions on all matters of mutual interest including economy, security and regional developments in the backdrop of changing international scenario."
To quote exactly a part of your report, does it mean any how, that China,the trusted friend of Pakistan has nothing further to offer?
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Feb 13, 2015 05:09pm
Is President Xi coming for the parade or not? We should ask PLA boots in Pakistan soil for helping the Army in its operations against militants. That way there will be more cooperation and PLA will get a chance to test itself, as they have no counter insurgency experience. Win win situation for both of us.
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Feb 13, 2015 05:53pm
@Gfellow yes, Russia, but we are building on that.
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Feb 13, 2015 06:11pm
The way this government is operating, we are afraid we will lose China as a friend. The government has failed to maintain law and order. Government must act quickly against the criminals who set the factory on fire in Karachi to prove its writ.
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Feb 13, 2015 06:27pm
@riaz we are helping the shaikhs to extract oil and teach them some civility
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Feb 13, 2015 07:00pm
what happened to the first and foremost all weather friend. wondering
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Feb 13, 2015 07:04pm
@lafanga
china just cares for the deeper than ocean, smellier than roses, sweeter than candy relationship with our country.
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Feb 13, 2015 07:31pm
Yaun will be Pakistan\s future currency.
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Feb 13, 2015 07:41pm
@lafanga China wants to ensure India does not go into the US corner and that is why they are ok with India's bid. China also knows that India will have support of 4 out of 5 SC members. So, why fight a loosing battle. China is more realistic and smarter than you think. Also, China has a $40 billion trade deficit with India(China is exporting more to India than importing more from India). This economic indicator is huge and no one in right frame of mind in China will oppose India's bid.
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Feb 13, 2015 08:06pm
@Hari China has not announced to support Indian permanent membership to UNSC. It was manipulated by the Indian media. Its foreign ministry clearly said "we understand Indian desire to be a permanent member of UNSC". Nothing more than that. This is a polite "NO" in a diplomatic way. China for sure will veto any such move.
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Feb 13, 2015 08:08pm
@Aurora Exactly same thing USA is doing with India. They have their economic interests. What did you think, was there a love affair between modi and obama?
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Feb 13, 2015 08:09pm
@Rajesh In Indian media only :)
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Feb 13, 2015 08:11pm
@khob same applies to India-US relationship.
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Feb 13, 2015 08:16pm
earlier it was usa, now its china. shameless nation!
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Feb 13, 2015 08:31pm
Try to create friendship with all the nations & create a exchange network in favor of your country so that Economy & security of Pakistan can improve. What's the pont in terming India the enemy? India & Pakistan have lost a lot in 67 years. Kashmir problem will be automatically solved when borders will become softn one become irrelevant. I do no see if Indians will let you have their part of Kashmir. Sincerely for Kashmiri's a united Kashmir is as much impossible as an undivided Pre 1947 India.
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Feb 13, 2015 09:11pm
@Jason : invest were ? in terrorism ?
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Feb 13, 2015 09:14pm
"Voh Aaj aainey, Kal aainey, phir aainey gay, Yehi batt din rat hoti rahi;
Chaman main shaghoofey jhulistey rahey, Biaban main barsat hoti rahi".
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Feb 13, 2015 09:33pm
@shaneeza
china will not even spare $1 billion fr pak from its forex of $4000 bilion
so what friendship is this ??
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Feb 13, 2015 09:45pm
Keep on singing the song of Pakistan China Friendship, China will never put any cash to your begging bowl , which you can spend as you wish.
It will continue to charge Rate of Return of 27% on its investment in power sector, signed recently by Shariff Brothers.
Neither will it stop supplying Substandard products to your market, which nobody buys in the world.
Neither will China stop using Pakistan to further its interests in the manner it chooses to.
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Feb 13, 2015 09:49pm
Hopefully, this relationship does not end up like US-Pakistan relationship in the past !!!
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Feb 13, 2015 10:27pm
Nothingb will happen with these good ties because our government of Nawaz Sharif is corrupt and so is the Sindh government. Chinese are not corrupt people.
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Feb 13, 2015 11:11pm
looks like he is delirious.. !! Especially after the Chinese friend threw him under the bus when china openly endorsed India's entry into UNSC..
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Feb 13, 2015 11:27pm
Keep dreaming mr Nawaz! So far they haven't given you anything but a dream. That is the only one you can call China (friend) They won't be there when you need them. Only in your dream!
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Feb 13, 2015 11:29pm
we need to integrate and join with China with one nation theory that we are too similiar, that way pkistan will be worlds no 1 power
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Feb 14, 2015 12:45am
Beware the Chinese bearing gifts. It will seek back 10x as much. We will become a Chinese colony in time. History will repeat itself with a different, less liberal & tolerant master race.
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Feb 14, 2015 02:16am
Don't worry China will also exploit u like USA. The reason is that pakistan has no honour. Your government runs on donations. 1st Americans and Saudis and now chinese
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Feb 14, 2015 02:24am
@rkfromny : I hope it was a metro bus.
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Feb 14, 2015 03:04am
I went to guangzhou last week for four days....couldnt find a single Pakistani or Indian restaurant in the whole province :p food for thought for both Indians and Pakistanis...
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Feb 14, 2015 06:01am
@Jason India is a massive country thats why India needs more investment than Pakistan. InshaAllah todays Pakistan will be like a bad dream past, Tommorows Pakistan will be terror free just like b4 9/11 or better and it will be rich country. Take my words?
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