BEIJING: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and both had a wide-ranging discussion on matters of bilateral interest relating to positions of two countries on regional and international affairs.

During the meeting held at Great Hall of the People, the two sides conveyed to each other the sentiments of a warm-hearted relationship.

Mr Qureshi thanked the Chinese foreign minister for extending warm welcome to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his delegation during their visit to China.

The Chinese government’s top diplomat told Mr Qureshi that his country would not let Pakistan down.

“The Chinese side will continue to provide support and help to the best of its ability for Pakistan’s economic and social development and national construction,” Mr Wang was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Tahmina Janjua and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid were also present while the Chinese foreign minister was assisted by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and other senior officials.

During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their common understanding on early realisation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects besides agreeing to continue strategic communication on regional and global issues of importance.

The meeting of the two foreign ministers was held in the lead-up to the meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said in a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter handle.

The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding, longstanding friendship, and close cooperation.

Both foreign ministers underscored the importance of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership for shared future in the new era, the spokesman said.

They also reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to strategic partnership and underscored the importance of taking it to new heights.

The two foreign ministers discussed further building the bilateral relationship on the 10-point agenda covering multifaceted practical cooperation.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2018