China and Pakistan Strengthen Cooperation, Sign 20 Agreements

MOSCOW, (ST) – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have held talks in Beijing, aimed at strengthening bilateral political and economic cooperation.

“China will continue to support Pakistan in developing economy and maintaining stability,” said Xi, who described China and Pakistan as “iron friends”.

According to the media source, China is ready to boost the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which would connect China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with the Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan through railways, highways and oil pipelines.

 The two countries also plan to intensify collaboration in the energy sphere and create modern industrial parks along the corridor. The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will facilitate the development of the project, the Xinhua emphasized.

During Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing, more than 20 documents were signed on cooperation in areas such as technologies, energy, finance, industrial parks and communications, Xinhua reported.

China’s officials confirmed that Beijing is ready to assist Islamabad in improving relations with India and Afghanistan. In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif asserted to China’s authorities that Pakistan “will firmly back China’s stance on all major issues, especially on those involving China’s core interests,” the Xinhua underscored.

RIA Novosti

Maher Taki