Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar

On the evening of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends. Successive Pakistani governments have actively supported and participated in Belt and Road cooperation. Over the past decade, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has achieved fruitful results, giving a strong boost to Pakistan's economic and social development and becoming an important signature project of Belt and Road cooperation. China is ready to carry forward traditional friendship with Pakistan, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi Jinping stressed that China appreciates Pakistan's firm support for China's core interests over the years and will, as always, support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The two sides should take the 10th anniversary of the CPEC this year as an opportunity to build an "upgraded version" of the corridor featuring growth, livelihood, innovation, greenness and openness, strengthen cooperation in areas like industrial park, agriculture, mining and new energy, and promote the early implementation of major connectivity projects and the achievement of practical results. China welcomes Pakistan's efforts to increase export of high-quality agricultural products to China, and expects the Pakistani side to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. China is ready to strengthen coordination with Pakistan within the frameworks of the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to promote regional unity and cooperation and safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar extended congratulations on the great success of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past decade. He said that President Xi Jinping's speech at the opening ceremony of the third BRF is profound and visionary. The eight major steps put forward by President Xi will not only enhance world connectivity, but also make the global governance system fairer and more equitable, providing important opportunities for Pakistan and other countries to achieve better development. The successful practice of Chinese modernization has set an example and provided impetus for other developing countries. China's efforts to build a human community with a shared future have brought confidence and hope to other countries. Pakistan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands with China on issues concerning China's core interests, which is the cross-party consensus of Pakistan. Pakistan will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend of China, will never allow any force to undermine the friendship between Pakistan and China, and will remain committed to deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Pakistan is ready to work closely with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC. The Pakistani government will make every effort to protect the safety and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.