China, Pakistan vow to support each other’s ‘core interests’

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – China and Pakistan have reaffirmed their support for each other’s “core interests and major concerns,” while vowing to further enhance economic and defense cooperation.

Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited China at his counterpart Wang Yi’s invitation for “discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of shared interest,” according to a joint statement issued on Sunday.

The two-day trip coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Islamabad.

Wang and Zardari agreed that the “importance of China-Pakistan strategic relations has assumed even greater significance” due to recent “profound regional and international changes.”

They pledged to diversify trade ties, deepen cooperation in export-oriented sectors and integrate value chains of the two countries.

The two top diplomats also noted the “growing momentum” of bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, terming China-Pakistan defense ties “a factor of peace and stability in the region.”

Terming terrorism a “common enemy of humanity,” the two sides vehemently condemned the late April bombing in the southern port city of Karachi that killed three Chinese scholars and their Pakistani driver.

Pakistan, for its part, reiterated that it will “hunt down the culprits and bring them to justice,” while also briefing the Chinese side on efforts to bolster safety of all Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in the country.