Closer ties with Pak expected

China is willing to intensify high-level contact and strategic communication with Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday while meeting his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain.

“The China-Pakistan all-weather strategic co-operation is not only the shared asset of the two countries, but also offers a model for building a new type of international relations,” Mr Xi said. Mr Hussain is in the coastal Chinese city of Qingdao to attend the 18th Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit. Mr Xi congratulated Pakistan on its participation in the summit as a full member for the first time.

China will steadily promote the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) construction, and strengthen bilateral co-operation in areas such as energy and transportation infrastructure under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China also expects to enhance its anti-terrorism co-operation with Pakistan, Mr Xi said.