Qureshi leaves for China on two-day official visit

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday expressed confidence that his visit to China would further strengthen bilateral fraternal relations between the two countries.

In a video statement before leaving for China on a two-day visit, the foreign minister said bilateral strategic agenda would be discussed in his meeting with the Chinese counterpart.

Qureshi at the invitation of the State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, let for China, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and senior officials.

The foreign minister said the two sides would exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan and the region.

Qureshi mentioned that a detailed meeting on the progress made so far on the projects related to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its future strategy would be held.

He said the Pak-china friendship, which had entered the seventh decade, was emerging as a strong strategic partnership. The Foreign Office termed the visit a part of the high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China.

During the visit, both sides will inter alia discuss further deepening of bilateral relations, focus on co-operation in the high-quality development under China Pakistan Economic Corridor, defence and security co-operation, COVID-19 vaccines, counterterrorism and regional and international issues of mutual interest. “The visit will play an important role in further strengthening Pakistan-china All-weather Strategic Co-operative Partnership and will expand strategic communication and co-ordination with China on a range of issues,” the FO said. This year, Pakistan and China are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

More than 100 celebratory events have been planned of which over 60 events have already been held so far. These celebrations have immensely contributed to injecting a fresh vigour and warmth in the traditional friendship.

Pakistan and China are the closest friends and staunch partners. The time-tested Pakistan-china relationship is based on unparalleled mutual trust, understanding and commonality of interests. Both sides are fully commited to building closer China-pakistan Community of Shared Future.

Meanwhile, Li Dinggang, executive president of medicine of Beijing Lu Daopei Hematology Hospital has said that there will be further developments in Pak-china medical treatment co-operation if China starts to improve its medical tourism system.

Li Dinggang, who has been to Pakistan a few times for medical seminars with Pakistani doctors and consultations, said that nowadays, the worldwide international medical tourism industry has formed an over $700-billion market.