Pakistan, China to take all-weather and time-tested friendship to new heights

BEIJING (92 News) – President Arif Alvi called on his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. The historic meeting of the leaders reinforced the shared commitment of Pakistan and China to take all-weather and time-tested friendship to new heights. It further reinforced the commitment to further strengthen the existing unique equation, not only for the benefit of the two countries but for the whole region. The entire gamut of Pak-China strategic relations was discussed during the meeting. After the bilateral meeting, the signing ceremony of two Memorandums of Understanding and four Letters of Exchange was held the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Dr Arif Alvi and President Xi Jinping witnessed the ceremony. An “MoU on Establishing Joint Working Group on Science and Technology and Agriculture between the Governments of China and Pakistan will lead to establishment of two separate Joint Working Groups, one on science and technology and the other on agriculture, under the overall rubric of CPEC. While the “MoU between Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA) and Ministry of National Food Security and Research of Pakistan (NFS&R) on Strengthening Cooperation on Plant and Disease Control" will help in monitoring and control of major pests and diseases and improve agricultural productivity. Letters of Exchange signed at the ceremony will play an important role in combating Covid-19 in Pakistan. Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi reached China on a two-day visit. The Chinese minister for agriculture welcomed President Dr Arif Alvi at the airport. He was also presented the guard of honour. President Dr Arif Alvi is accompanied by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qurteshi. Talking to the media before his departure, the President said that China had countered coronavirus bravely. “I am going to China to express solidarity with China,” he added. He said that the visit would also provide them an opportunity to learn from the Chinese experiences to check the coronavirus.