Pakistan, China consult over defence, security cooperation

BEIJING: Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance policy communication and coordination in the emerging global and regional situation.

The understanding came during talks between Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister in Beijing today.

The consultations were wide-ranging, which covered all aspects of bilateral relations, including defence and security cooperation, trade and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Couple of days ago, China defended its ally Pakistan after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan’s “safe havens” for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to “harbor terrorists”.

Trump on Monday committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, signaling he would dispatch more troops to America’s longest war and vowing “a fight to win”.

Trump insisted that others – the Afghan government, Pakistan, India and NATO allies – step up their own commitment to resolving the 16-year conflict, but he saved his sharpest words for Pakistan.

Asked about Trump’s speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Pakistan was on the front line in the struggle against terrorism and had made “great sacrifices” and “important contributions” in the fight.

“We are happy to see Pakistan and the United States carry out anti-terror cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, and work together for security and stability in the region and world.”

They agreed to hold various bilateral consultative mechanisms including the strategic dialogue at an early date.

Regional and international issues including the situation in South Asia and Afghanistan were also discussed.