BEIJING: China on Friday defended Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, following US President Donald Trump’s accusation that militants carry out attacks inside Afghanistan from Pakistani soil.

“The government and people of Pakistan have made huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifices are there for everyone to see,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. “The international community should recognise that... and give Pakistan the full credit it deserves.”

The remarks were made at a press briefing following a meeting between Mr Wang and Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

In a major speech outlining US policy on Afghanistan last month, Mr Trump accused Pakistan of offering safe havens to “agents of chaos” and suggested relations would be adjusted immediately. He gave few details.

Following Mr Trump’s remarks, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also cautioned that Pakistan could lose its status as a major US ally and see its US military aid suspended.

Mr Asif said it was Pakistan’s firm view that maintaining regional security was a “critical” priority and focus should remain on peaceful solutions.

Beijing to host trilateral meeting on Afghan issue

He thanked Beijing for its role in hosting the first trilateral Afghanistan-China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ forum, which is expected to take place before the end of this year.

The Chinese foreign minister said: “We have identified three priority areas which are strategic communication, security dialogue and practical cooperation. And on that basis we will work on the trilateral cooperation starting from the easier matters, and with a goal of establishing a new platform for regional cooperation.”

Islamabad has repeatedly denied claims of being soft on militancy, accusing the United States of ignoring the thousands who have been killed in Pakistan and the billions spent fighting extremists.

‘Iron brother’

Mr Wang said that China fully supported its ‘iron brother’ in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said that the all-weather relationship bet­ween China and Pakistan was strong and unbreakable and added that Beijing would continue to play its role for the progress and development of Pakistan.

About Afghanistan, he said peace and stability in that country is in the interests of both China and Pakistan, adding, “China wants improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan”.

Mr Asif thanked his Chin­ese counterpart for acknowledging Pakistan’s sacrifices and providing an unflinching support to Pakistan in war against terrorism.

He also thanked China for the China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of One Belt One Road Initiative announced by President Xi Jinping.

China and Pakistan enjoyed friendly relations based on history, mutual trust, equality, harmony, non-interference and common agenda of socioeconomic development, he added.

Pakistan, he said, deeply valued China’s support for its territorial integrity and asserted Islamabad’s support for One China policy and China’s interests in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and South China Sea.

The foreign minister said there was no military solution to Afghan problem and peace and stability could be brought in that country through a political solution.

He said Pakistan had been making efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan, adding that before coming to Beijing, he had a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart.

Bilateral talks

Upon arrival at the State Guest House, Mr Asif and members of his delegation were welcomed by Mr Wang.

Both leaders held productive discussions with broad consensus on bilateral ties as well as the regional and global situation in the backdrop of emerging challenges.

Mr Wang thanked Mr Asif for his visit and reaffirmed China’s continuing and firm support to Pakistan and vowed to strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative friendship with Pakistan.

Mr Asif highlighted the importance of Pakistan-China friendship as well as strategic partnership and economic relations between the two countries.

He said Pakistan wanted peace in Afghanistan and an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process was the only way forward.

He however pointed out that Pakistan’s security concerns must be addressed.

National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua, Pakistan Ambassador to Pakistan Masood Khalid and senior official of the foreign ministry were also present.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2017