Xi says China-Pakistan Economic Corridor of great importance to promoting bilateral ties

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping said Friday that as a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is of great importance to promoting in-depth development of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and forging a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in a verbal message to Pakistani President Arif Alvi.

Xi said he appreciates the fact that Alvi sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the Second Conference of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, which fully demonstrated that Alvi attaches great importance to and supports the China-Pakistan relationship and construction of the CPEC.

China and Pakistan are good brothers and partners who share special friendship, Xi said, adding that political parties from both sides often carry out friendly consultations and constantly build political consensus, which is conducive to steadily advancing the construction of the CPEC as well as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out, the global fight has fully demonstrated that mutual support, solidarity and cooperation present a sure way for humanity to defeat this novel coronavirus, Xi said.

China stands ready to work with Pakistan to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, jointly promote regional solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard the good momentum of peace and development in the region.

Alvi had previously sent a congratulatory message to the Second Conference of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism.

He said in the message that building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by Xi profoundly interpreted the true meaning of cooperation, peace and development and reflected the universal aspirations of the people around the world.

He thanked China specifically for providing timely medical assistance to Pakistan when it was ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Pakistan will continue to enhance cultural exchanges and mutual trust with China, share common goals with China and make joint efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

The CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism was established in 2019 between the CPC and the ruling and major non-ruling parties of Pakistan. On Thursday, the Second Conference of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, was held via video link.