ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: Just as the new US legislation dims the prospects of Pakistan-US strategic ties, China has assured Pakistan that it is committed to further strengthening the ongoing strategic cooperation between the two countries.

This assurance was held out by the visiting Assistant Foreign Minister of China Cui Tiankai during a meeting with Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri here on Tuesday.

“Mr Cui Tiankai described Pakistan-China relationship as an “all-weather friendship” and said the ongoing strategic cooperation between the two countries will be enhanced in future and that the Chinese leadership was committed to further strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries,” a statement issued by the Foreign Minister’s Office said.

Mr Kasuri underlined the importance of the strategic relationship between Pakistan and China and said that the friendship between the two countries had stood the test of time, the statement said, adding: “He observed that Pakistan-China friendship, which spans over half a century, is imbued by a high degree of trust and commonality of interests and was growing from strength to strength.”

Mr Kasuri expressed satisfaction over expanding cooperation in diverse fields, particularly economic cooperation which had received impetus in the wake of recent operationalisation of FTA, establishment of a Joint Investment Company, a Framework Agreement on Developing Economic Complementarities between Pakistan and China.He said the launching of Haier-Ruba Economic Zone would go a long way in encouraging Chinese investment and joint ventures, while noting that both countries were working to increase their bilateral trade to $15 billion in the next five years.

He specifically mentioned the important projects including Gwadar, the expansion of Karakuram Highway and JF-17, which he said were shining examples of Pak-China collaboration.

Expressing deep sense of sorrow over a recent incident in which three Chinese nationals were killed in Peshawar, Foreign Minister Kasuri said that the government was investigating the matter and had adopted additional security measures for the security of Chinese nationals.

Both sides noted with satisfaction that an MoU had been signed between the Chinese Embassy and Ministry of Interior in this regard.

The Chinese assistant foreign minister thanked Mr Kasuri for the support and cooperation extended by the government of Pakistan in the wake of recent incidents involving Chinese nationals. He also conveyed condolences of the Chinese side over the casualties suffered by Pakistan Security personnel while providing protection to Chinese nationals, the statement said.