BEIJING, China: President Dr. Arif Alvi paid a two-day visit to China from March 16 to 17, 2020 at the invitation of his Chinese Counterpart Xi Jinping.
The president was accompanied by a delegation including the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and senior officials.
The visit was undertaken at a time while China was engaged in a massive national struggle to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
During the visit, Dr. Arif Alvi met with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu.
Below is the Joint Statement issued following the completion of President Dr. Arif Alvi’s visit to Beijing on March 16-17, 2020.
Main Points of the Joint Statement
• President Dr. Alvi praised the relentless efforts undertaken by China for containing and controlling the virus.
• President Dr. Arif Alvi also appreciated China’s keen resolve to look after Pakistan’s nationals during this difficult time.
• President Xi thanked President Alvi for visiting China at a critical time and expressed profound gratitude for Pakistan’s gesture of support and solidarity.
• China and Pakistan underlined that COVID-19 is a common challenge for humanity and all Countries should unite and cooperate to overcome this challenge together.
• The Chinese side reiterated solidarity with Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty, independence and security.
• Pakistan underscored that the CPEC was a transformational project.
• Both sides stressed that the economic and social impact of CPEC on the region will be substantial and beneficial and hoped that the international community will support such efforts that underpin economic development.
• China recognized measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism financing and appreciated the resolve with which Pakistan implemented the Action Plan of FATF.
• The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position, and current urgent issues. China said it opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.
• Both Pakistan and China welcomed the signing of the Peace Agreement between the US and the Taliban.
Joint Statement
Given the depth and breadth of Pakistan-China ties and the finest traditions of both the Countries to always stand by each other particularly in challenging times, President Dr. Arif Alvi’s first visit to Beijing was a singular expression of Pakistan’s solidarity with its “iron brother.”
President Dr. Alvi praised the relentless efforts undertaken by China for containing and controlling the Coronavirus, and was confident that the Chinese people under the leadership of President Xi Jinping will emerge stronger and victorious in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Dr. Arif Alvi also appreciated China’s keen resolve to look after Pakistan’s nationals during this difficult time. The Chinese leadership had assured that it was taking the best possible measures to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of Pakistani nationals, including the students.
President Xi thanked President Dr. Arif Alvi for visiting China at a critical time and expressed profound gratitude for Pakistan’s gesture of support and solidarity.
The Chinese leadership stressed that since the outbreak, the Chinese Communist Party and government have given top priority to people’s life and health. On the basis of nation-wide mobilization, China adopted the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures in little time to contain the virus. Chinese side emphasized that China has made major progress in the prevention and control of the virus and will win “People’s War” against COVID-19.
Both China and Pakistan underlined that COVID-19 is a common challenge for humanity and all countries should unite and cooperate to overcome this challenge together.
President Alvi spoke highly of China’s major progress in battling the epidemic and acknowledged that China’s efforts have won time and set a model for the rest of the world to combat the epidemic, and have made a contribution to safeguarding global public health security.
Leaders of the two Countries took the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. The exchange was marked by the exceptional warmth, the convergence of views, and strategic trust that characterize the China-Pakistan “All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
Stressing that the close and strategic ties and deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China served the fundamental interests of the two Countries and peoples, and contributed to peace, stability, and development in the region, the two sides underscored that the enduring partnership between Pakistan and China remains unaffected by the vicissitudes of the regional and international developments and continues to move from strength to strength.
The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership aimed at building a Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
Both sides reaffirmed their support on issues concerning each other’s core national interests.
The Chinese side reiterated solidarity with Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty, independence and security. The Pakistan side reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy and underscored that affairs related to Hong Kong and Taiwan were China’s internal affairs.
The Pakistan side underlined that due to the developmental measures undertaken by the Chinese government, Xinjiang was on the path to overall social stability and economic development.
Pakistan underscored that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a signature project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was transformational. A CPEC Authority was established to oversee the expeditious implementation of CPEC projects. Both sides maintained that the new phase of high-quality development of CPEC will promote industrialization and socio-economic development in Pakistan.
Both sides hoped that the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC, to be held soon, will further contribute to making CPEC a High-Quality Demonstration Project of BRI.
Both sides stressed that the economic and social impact of CPEC on the region will be substantial and beneficial and hoped that the international community will support such efforts that underpin economic development.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. China recognized measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism financing and appreciated the resolve with which Pakistan implemented the Action Plan of FATF.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the close cooperation at multilateral fora and resolved to deepen strategic coordination, consultation, and communication. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support for multilateralism and win-win cooperation.
Both sides exchanged views on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments, including its concerns, position, and current urgent issues.
The Chinese side underscored that it was paying close attention to the current situation and reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.
Both Pakistan and China welcomed the signing of the Peace Agreement between the United States and the Afghan Taliban and hoped that the intra-Afghan negotiations would be the next logical step.
The two sides agreed that all Afghan parties must seize this historic opportunity and work together constructively to secure durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The two sides further emphasized the need for the international community to help establish peace as well as extend support for post-conflict reconstruction and economic development in Afghanistan. Pakistan underscored the need to assist the Afghan government in creating an enabling environment and instituting “pull” factors to enable the Afghan refugees to return to their homeland with dignity and honour.
Both sides maintained that they will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, sovereign, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with its neighbors.
During the visit, President Dr. Arif Alvi and President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of various Agreements/MoUs.
President Dr. Arif Alvi thanked the leadership and people of China for their gracious hospitality and invited the Chinese leadership to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.
Both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and mutual contacts.
