Chinese FM meets Pakistan's top security, foreign affairs adviser on ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Friday with Pakistan's top national security and foreign affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz, to discuss relations between their two countries and major international issues of common concern.

Wang said China is looking forward to Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's attendance at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting in Beijing in November, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping is also willing to pay a visit to Pakistan at an early date to promote further development of relations between the two countries.

China is willing to bring into full play the role of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Corridor to lead economic development in Pakistan and give priority to the construction of infrastructure for transportation and energy and industrial parks in the country, so that Pakistan can enjoy real benefits, Wang stressed at the meeting with Aziz on the sidelines of the annual high-level debate of the U.N. General Assembly.

The two sides need to strengthen coordination and cooperation in law enforcement and security, while the Chinese side supports Pakistan's quest to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Aziz said that both the Pakistani government and people are sincerely looking forward to Xi's visit to the country at an early date, which will add powerful impetus to the growth of Pakistan-China relations.

Pakistan stands firmly with China on its core interest and issues of major concern, and appreciates China's support for Pakistan's quest to become a SCO member, he said.

Pakistan is also willing to work with China to build the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, so that peoples of both countries can benefit from it, Aziz said.

The two officials also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as the Afghanistan situation and reached broad consensus.