Senator Mushahid Hussain meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Date : 16-02-2015

Islamabad, Feb 15: Chairman, Pakistan-China Institute, Senator Mushahid Hussain met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Pakistan-China Friendship Center Islamabad on Friday on the side lines of a launching ceremony marking the 2015 Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Exchanges.

During the meeting, Mushahid congratulated the Foreign Minister on his first visit to Pakistan as the Foreign Minister of China.

Lauding the China’s policy of win-win cooperation, Mushahid said China’s new vision for regional economic integration through Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, Silk Road Economic Belt, Maritime Silk Road and Pakistan China Economic Corridor would benefit the entire Asian region and enhance cultural ties along the ancient Silk Road.

The Silk Road was a sea route for the economic and cultural exchanges between ancient China and the rest of the world.

He said Pakistan and China are strategic source of strength for each other adding his visit  would add new momentum to Sino-Pakistan economic partnership and bilateral ties. He added that China’s multi-dimensional support for Pakistan and especially the investment in economic development would boost enhance bilateral cooperation.

Mushahid apprised Wang Yi about PCI's projects and endeavors to promote people-to-people understanding, cultural links and academic exchanges between think tanks of China and Pakistan such as Islamabad Trilateral Dialogue: China-Afghanistan-Pakistan- a platform to enhance multilateral collaboration and cooperation between three neighbours; China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Appreciating the role of PCI as anon-governmental initiatives contributing to strengthen bilateral ties, Wang Yi said the projects and activities of PCI over the last five years since, have made tremendous progress to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and China by creating people-to-people linkages, cultural exchanges and academic cooperation.

Ambassador Sun Weidong, as well as Mr Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, were also present on the occasion.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Islamabad on Feb 13 for a two-day visit to Pakistan paving the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the country and his meetings with top leadership covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discussions on regional issues of common interest.

Experts say Pakistan and China have established a strong partnership in the last six decades and both countries are expanding their cooperation in diverse areas. The visit is expected to further boost the time tested friendship of Pakistan and China.