Friendship with China a 'cornerstone' of Pakistan's foreign policy: President Alvi to Gen Wei

Pakistan's friendship with China is "the cornerstone of its foreign policy", President Dr Arif Alvi told Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe during the latter's visit to the Aiwan-e-Sadr today, reiterating support to Beijing over its domestic sovereign entities and territorial disputes.

In a statement, the President House said Dr Alvi welcomed the Chinese defence minister to Pakistan and that the two neighbouring nations "reiterated their resolve to further consolidate their friendship for the mutual benefit".

"Pakistan's friendship with China was the cornerstone of its foreign policy and Pakistan wanted to further improve and cement its ties with the People's Republic of China so as to address the security challenges being faced by the region," the president said, according to the statement.

President Arif Alvi also informed the visiting Chinese delegation that "Pakistan strongly adhered to One-China Policy and supported China on issues of Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and South China Sea".

With regard to other regional issues, he and Gen Wei spoke about the Kashmir issue, as well as India's aggression and state-sponsored terrorism.

Dr Alvi expressed concern over "the Indian hegemonic designs that posed a threat to regional peace and stability" and "highlighted India's state-sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan".

He also appreciated China's steadfast support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. A day prior, Pakistan had "strongly and categorically" rejected India's statement on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Resolution on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The president lauded China's economic progress and the measures it took in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.