China calls for protection of Pakistan projects, peaceful end to Kashmir dispute
- 47-point joint statement comes after President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirm ‘all-weather strategic partnership’
- Chinese infrastructure and workers in Pakistan have faced a series of local militant attacks in recent years
The 47-point joint statement, released after what was Sharif’s first trip to China since taking office in April, saw the two countries pledge cooperation on a wide range of areas, from disaster relief to trade and investments and security.
Meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Wednesday, Xi and Sharif reaffirmed the “all-weather strategic partnership” between the two countries, as Xi said Pakistan would be “always prioritised” in China’s diplomacy with neighbouring countries.
Beijing provided more than 644 million yuan (US$88 million) in aid as Pakistan battled a deadly and devastating flood season this year, apart from sending in disaster relief supplies and flood control experts. More such help could be on the way, as China has pledged to help with reconstruction efforts following the disaster.
The two sides also agreed to continue to push forward cooperation on Belt and Road Initiative projects. Receiving special mention were upgrades to the Main Line 1 Karachi-Peshawar railway project, and the development of Gwadar port, a key regional junction under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the framework for belt and road projects in the region.
Key agreements have also been signed on e-commerce and the digital economy. In a statement on Wednesday, China’s central bank said it had signed a memorandum of cooperation with the State Bank of Pakistan to establish renminbi (RMB) clearing arrangements, expected to facilitate bilateral trade and investments using the Chinese currency.