China, Pakistan agreed to implement CPEC's ongoing projects: FO

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Pakistan from September 7 to 9, 2018. He conveyed the message of good will and support from the Chinese leadership for the new government of Pakistan. During his visit, Wang Yi held the delegation level talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi followed by a joint press conference. He also called on President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaisar and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. State Councillor Wang Yi was a special guest at the oath-taking ceremony of President of Pakistan and was the first foreign dignitary to call on him after his inauguration on the same day. The two sides had in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest. The visit provided an opportunity to the two sides to reaffirm their "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership". During the meetings, Pakistani leadership conveyed that CPEC was a national priority for the government. Pakistan remains committed to the successful implementation of the CPEC. There was complete consensus on the future trajectory of the CPEC between Pakistan and China. The two sides agreed to work together towards implementation of the ongoing projects and agreed to expand CPEC to new areas of cooperation including socio-economic development; poverty-alleviation, anti-corruption, agricultural cooperation and industrial development as per the needs and priorities of the government of Pakistan. The visit had a special significance as it came right after the installation of new government and on the day of the oath-taking ceremony of the new President. From the substantive point of view it helped in further strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.