Pakistan, China agree to strengthen strategic cooperation

They also “reiterated their resolve to maintain close engagement on all issues of regional and global importance,” President Mamnoon Hussain’s office said. (AFP)

• Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain congratulated Xi on his re-election as China’s president and secretary-general of the country’s Communist Party
• China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan, which will remain a priority for Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed to further strengthen strategic cooperation between their countries.
Hussain met with Xi in China, where they will participate in the 18th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Heads of State.
The two leaders held “in-depth discussions” on Pakistani-Chinese relations “and regional and global issues of mutual interest,” Hussain’s office said.
He congratulated Xi on his re-election as China’s president and secretary-general of the country’s Communist Party.
Pakistan supports China’s chairmanship of the SCO, and appreciates Beijing’s various initiatives within the organization during the last year, Hussain said.
Xi said he appreciates Pakistan’s proactive participation in the SCO since becoming a member.
“They agreed to continue supporting each other on issues of core interest,” and that Pakistani-Chinese relations “are a pillar of stability,” Hussain’s office said.
They also “reiterated their resolve to maintain close engagement on all issues of regional and global importance.”
China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan, which will remain a priority for Beijing, Xi said.
The Chinese president “appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism, and its role in peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” Hussain’s office said.