Pakistan and China hold talks on regional security, decide to bolster multilateral organizations.
In the heart of Beijing, diplomatic discussions between Pakistan and China took place last Thursday. These talks, in the fifth round of the Pakistan-China Consultations on Multilateral Issues, revolved around regional and international security, with both nations reiterating their dedication to the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
The Pakistani delegation, headed by Special Secretary (UN) Ambassador Nabeel Munir, met with Shen Bo, director general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Chinese foreign ministry. These dialogues unfolded amidst the regional tensions arising from India's conflict with Pakistan in May and Iran's recent military confrontation with Israel.
These clashes, though culminating in a ceasefire, have sparked apprehensions of larger conflicts within the region. Against this backdrop, the two nations shared views on various matters concerning the United Nations, with a particular focus on regional and international peace and security on the UN Security Council's agenda.
"The discussion yielded an extensive exchange of opinions, highlighting a strong agreement on issues of common concern and a steadfast commitment to collaborative efforts in reinforcing multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations," said a statement from Pakistan's foreign office.
Apart from these geopolitical discussions, Munir also held a separate meeting with China's Assistant Foreign Minister Miao Deyu on the sidelines of the consultations. Both parties expressed their eagerness to extend their collaborative efforts and elevate the historic relations between Pakistan and China.
China maintains a cordial relationship with Pakistan and serves as a significant investor in the region, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. This epic project aims to modernize Pakistan's infrastructure, linking Pakistan's deep-sea ports of Gwadar and Karachi to China's Xinjiang region and reducing dependence on the Strait of Malacca.
Despite economic hurdles and regional tension, Pakistan remains committed to executing CPEC projects. The recent talks are a testament to both nations' resilience and shared long-term interests. Ongoing high-level meetings aim to accelerate the projects, with a focus on the upgrade of the Karakoram Highway and the modernization of the Main Line-1 railway corridor.
The successful integration of Gwadar Port into Pakistan’s national power grid and the development of the Gwadar Special Economic Zone also mark noteworthy milestones in the journey of the CPEC. Despite the external debt accumulated during the course of this project, bilateral trade has grown significantly.
In conclusion, despite the complex regional environment and Pakistan's financial difficulties, the partnership between Pakistan and China remains robust, with both nations maintaining mutual trust and a commitment to the transformative goals of CPEC. The continuous bilateral dialogue points towards a future of strengthened collaboration and regional integration.
- The Pakistani delegation, during their discussions on policy-and-legislation and politics, expressed their interest in collaborating with China in the development of art and sports, hoping to foster cultural exchange between the two nations.
- In the general-news section, reports suggested that an agreement might soon be reached regarding East Asia's war-and-conflicts, with China and Pakistan potentially playing a pivotal role in achieving regional peace and stability.
- The Chinese delegation, during the talks, also showed keenness in cooperating with Pakistan in areas such as news and media, aiming to share news articles, documentaries, and shows to promote mutual understanding and friendship.
- As part of their commitment to regional integration, China and Pakistan have also agreed to jointly organize and sponsor regional sporting events to promote unity and cooperation amongst the nations in the region.
