AMBASSADOR NONG RONG CALLS ON FOREIGN MINISTER SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI

China’s newly-appointed Ambassador Mr. Nong Rong called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. Lauding his experience and strong credentials, the Foreign Minister congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment to Pakistan and hoped that Pakistan-China ties will further deepen and strengthen during his term. During the meeting, Pakistan-China bilateral relations, cooperation in fighting COVID-19, CPEC, and matters of regional and international interest were discussed. The Foreign Minister underlined that Pakistan and China were ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners’ and both countries supported each other on the issues of their core interest. The Foreign Minister thanked China for its steadfast support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, including at the United Nations. Foreign Minister maintained that CPEC was a transformational project and hoped that the Ambassador, with his experience in trade and infrastructure development, will fast track CPEC projects and promote industrialization in Pakistan. Foreign Minister also stressed the need to speed up completion of CPEC projects at Gwadar enabling the Gwadar Port to achieve its potential. Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized that Pakistan and China should deepen and expand co-operation in the agriculture sector, providing opportunities for Pakistan to export its agricultural products to Chinese market. The Foreign Minister hoped that the 10th JCC will be fruitful and mutually beneficial and would lead to inclusion of mega projects in CPEC. He also emphasized the importance Pakistan attached to the ML-1 project. It was particularly underscored by the Foreign Minister that the leadership and people of Pakistan were looking forward to welcoming President Xi Jinping and that the 70th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations must be celebrated in a befitting manner. Ambassador Nong thanked the Foreign Minister for the good wishes conveyed by him and maintained that Pakistan was his second home. He emphasized that Pakistan-China relationship was anchor for peace, security and development in the region. He expressed determination that China would firmly support timely completion of CPEC making it a High-Quality Demonstration Project of BRI. He stressed that Pakistan and China should further deepen cooperation at the multilateral institutions to protect and promote their common interests