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China assures Pakistan of closer economic ties, support on efforts to defend ‘territorial integrity’
- China supports Pakistan in its defence of sovereignty, foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong says during visit to take part in key CPEC meeting
- Clear reference to tit-for-tat air strikes with Iran comes as Sun meets top leaders and military chiefs during three-day trip to ‘iron brother’ neighbour
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China seeks stronger economic ties with Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports its efforts to defend “territorial integrity”, a senior Chinese diplomat has said.
Foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong made the pledge during a visit to Pakistan days after it engaged in deadly tit-for-tat air strikes along the border with Iran.
Sun arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to attend a working group meeting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a centrepiece of Beijing’s belt and road cooperation with the neighbouring country.
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His three-day trip also included a series of talks with top Pakistani leaders and military chiefs, including President Arif Alvi, caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and caretaker foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. Pakistan is scheduled to hold general elections early next month.
Meeting Alvi on Monday, Sun said Beijing supported Islamabad in its defence of “sovereignty, independence, and territory integrity”, in what was a clear reference to the cross-border military assaults last week.
Later the same day, Sun told army chief General Syed Asim Munir that he acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability. He also travelled to Rawalpindi for talks with General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, chairman of Pakistan’s joint chiefs of staff committee.
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