TASHKENT: President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain said on Thursday that Pakistan and China have strong relations and Pakistan stands by its one China Policy.
He said this during the meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Hussain thanked Xi for supporting Pakistan’s bid to achieve membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan and China’s friendship had remained compact despite difficulties and trials.
“Pakistan and China were tied up with strategic partnership,” he said adding that Pakistan and China have agreed to work together for regional peace and stability.
Referring to India’s membership of NSG, Mamnoon said that giving the membership of NSG to India alone will disturb the balance of power in the region.
“Only granting India the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group will shift the balance of power,” he said.
Speaking about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the President of Pakistan said: “No compromise will be made on the flagship project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”
He said that Pakistan was determined to complete the project by its due date.
“All mega projects of national importance, particularly China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be completed at all costs and no hurdle will be tolerated in the way,” said the President adding that Pakistan will emerge as the most important country in the region following completion of CPEC.
“CPEC would give a much-needed boost to trade activities,” he said.
The President said the country is moving in the right direction and national economic indicators are showing a gradual and steady improvement in the national economy.
He reaffirmed that the economy will grow at a faster pace in future.
Mamnoon Hussain said Central Asian States are also demonstrating the interest in the CPEC and project will also generate hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities for the youth.
Meanwhile, Mamnoon Hussain thanked Xi Jinping for China’s stance in favour of Pakistan’s sovereignty and security.
