FM Qureshi Leaves for a Two-day Visit to China

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi accompanied by senior officials left for China in what is being dubbed as “a very important visit.”

The minister’s itinerary says he will visit Hainan, China from August 20 to 21 where he will lead the Pakistan side in the Second Round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. 

The Chinese side will be led by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The first meeting of the Dialogue was held in March last year. During the Dialogue both sides will, inter alia, discuss cooperation on Covid-19, bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest. 

The visit will play an important role in further strengthening Pakistan-China “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and deepen strategic communication and coordination with China on a range of issues. Pakistan and China are the closest friends and staunch partners. 

Their time-tested friendship is based on unparalleled mutual trust, understanding, and commonality of interests. Both sides are fully committed to building a closer China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future.

Recently, Chinese pharmaceutical firm had asked Pakistan to carry-out clinical trials of a potential Covid-19 vaccine in the country. The firm has partnered with a biological and chemical institute in the city of Karachi where the testing will be carried out on diverse candidates. Pakistan is one of the few countries where China is expected to send a cache of vaccines if it becomes successful. 

Pakistan’s ties with China are at their peak since the country became independent as cooperation among the two has grown exponentially over the last two years.