ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed Vice Minister, International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Sun Haiyan during a call on paid by her at the Prime Minister House.
The Prime Minister was assisted by SAPM Tariq Fatemi, PM’s Special Representative on China Amb. Zafar Uddin Mahmood, and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Chinese dignitary and her delegation to Pakistan. He said it was particularly auspicious that the visit was taking place amid bilateral celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
He noted that the year had commenced with the successful visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan to Beijing, followed by a visit by the Interior Minister to Shanghai. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan was also expected to visit China in the coming days.
The prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese leadership. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s iron-clad All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China. He said that this would remain unshakeable at all times. The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the One China Policy. PM Sharif lauded China’s generous support to Pakistan, especially through CPEC and stressed upon the need to ensure timely implementation of the next phase of CPEC.
He also reiterated his most cordial invitation to President Xi Jinping to undertake an official visit to Pakistan this year, as this was a special year and a milestone for both countries.
The Chinese Vice Minister thanked the prime minister for his warm and hospitable welcome and said that China was committed to strengthening its long-standing, time-tested relations with Pakistan across all spheres. She congratulated the Prime Minister for bringing economic as well as political stability in the country and said the Chinese nation took great pride in Pakistan’s diplomatic successes.
She briefed the prime minister that the Chinese Communist Party had maintained excellent ties with a wide range of political parties in Pakistan and appreciated the Prime Minister for his leadership role in unifying these political entities for effective governance.
The Vice Minister emphasized the significance of party-to-party ties and expressed the Chinese Communist Party’s commitment and resolve to deepen collaboration with political parties in Pakistan, through inter-party mechanisms.