Strongly support Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process: China, Pakistan

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Chinese counterpart, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing on December 25. A statement issued by the two sides said they conducted an in-depth exchange of views on the "entire spectrum of bilateral relations and regional matters" including the situation in Afghanistan.

The statement quoted Qureshi as saying the "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" between Pakistan and China "is deeply rooted in mutual trust and respect". 

While discussing the evolving political dynamic in Afghanistan, the two sides underscored their commonality of views on the matter. Qureshi said that as neighbouring countries and friends of Afghanistan, Pakistan and China strongly support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. 

He also appreciated China’s role in the furtherance of peace and development in Afghanistan, particularly through the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral mechanism.

Qureshi added that CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) has added an important dimension to bilateral ties. 

Yi in return thanked Pakistan for its efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. 

He said China attaches "paramount importance" to its relations with Pakistan and underlined that the "time-tested partnership between the two countries is based on mutual respect, trust and the strong bonds of friendship". 

Both leaders agreed that the "highly successful" visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had set the tone for further expanding that friendship.