Although the statement did not directly reference India’s 2019 abrogation of Article 370, it reaffirmed their stance on the Kashmir issue, stating that it should be resolved in line with international law and bilateral agreements….reports Asian Lite News
China and Pakistan reiterated their opposition to unilateral actions in the region and emphasized the need for resolving outstanding disputes, in a joint statement during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Islamabad.
Although the statement did not directly reference India’s 2019 abrogation of Article 370, it reaffirmed their stance on the Kashmir issue, stating that it should be resolved in line with international law and bilateral agreements.
Premier Li’s visit coincided with the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad and included bilateral talks with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership.
The joint statement underscored both countries’ commitment to maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. China reiterated its position that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a historical issue that must be resolved peacefully, based on the United Nations Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The statement made no explicit mention of India’s move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370, though both nations have previously voiced opposition—Pakistan objecting to the bifurcation of the state into two union territories and China expressing concerns over the formation of Ladakh as a separate territory.
Premier Li’s visit to Pakistan came amid growing Chinese concerns over recurring terror attacks targeting Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
The visit marked the first by a Chinese Premier in 11 years, and Li inaugurated the new Chinese-built Gwadar International Airport. Tensions have been rising due to attacks by Baloch militants, including a recent suicide bombing on a Chinese convoy that killed two people and injured one.
Despite these challenges, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning downplayed any negative impact on bilateral relations. She emphasized the “iron-clad” friendship between China and Pakistan, noting that Li’s meetings with Pakistani leaders, including government, military, and parliamentary officials, were productive and yielded positive results.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties, with China reaffirming its priority on relations with Pakistan and Islamabad underscoring that China is central to its foreign policy.
The two nations also pledged to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, trade, and infrastructure, with a focus on upgrading the CPEC. They agreed to accelerate the construction of key projects related to railways, roads, and ports.
Pakistan assured China that it would enhance security measures for Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects, while China promised to support Pakistan in building its anti-terrorism capacity. Both sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism with a “zero tolerance” approach.
China and Pakistan continue to affirm their close strategic partnership, agreeing to work together on national modernization and mutual development goals.