China again reaffirms its support to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

China has again reaffirmed its support to Pakistan in current tension with India and reiterated opposition to any unilateral action.

In a statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Saturday after delegation level talks led by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at capital Islamabad, Yi said both countries' relationship is based on mutual respect, trust and strong bonds of friendship.

Wang Yi reaffirmed China's support and reiterated opposition to any unilateral action as well as the measures that could further complicate the situation, the statement said.

The two delegations had an in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and regional matters, particularly the current situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) while the two sides underscored commonality of views on Afghan Peace Process, the statement further added.

The Chinese foreign minister along with a high level delegation arrived on a two-day visit to Islamabad early on Saturday, where they also attended the third round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral meeting.

On his part, Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked Chinese leadership and conveyed that his country is grateful for China's support in the aftermath of India's Kashmir move.

Qureshi briefed his Chinese counterpart on the evolving situation in Kashmir following Indian move on Aug.5.

"The ongoing curfew for over four weeks, the continued lock-down and communications blockade, and the massive human rights violations have created a dire humanitarian situation in IOJ&K which needs to be urgently addressed," Qureshi said.

He informed the Chinese side on the intensification of ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (LoC) and emphasized that India could attempt a false-flag operation in order to divert attention from its crimes in IOJ&K, the Foreign Ministry statement further added.

LoC, a de facto border, divides Kashmir valley between Pakistan and India.

Qureshi emphasized that friendship with China is the cornerstone of his country's foreign policy and highlighted that ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between the two countries is deeply rooted in mutual trust and respect and is an anchor of peace and stability in the region and beyond.

"Pakistan will continue to support China on all issues of its core interest, including Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong," Qureshi reaffirmed.