Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain, left, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan. (Agence France-Presse)
China, today, said it supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and appreciates the country's efforts for peaceful resolution of all "outstanding issues" with its neighbours.
In a joint statement issued after Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the two sides said they believe that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia is in the common interest of all parties.
"The two sides are ready to work together for peace, development and cooperation among the South Asian countries so as to achieve enduring peace and common prosperity in the region," it said.
China reaffirmed its support and solidarity for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Pakistan and said it appreciates Pakistan's efforts for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with its neighbours.
The comments came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China in next month.
The two sides said they believe that their bilateral cooperation is conducive to maintaining peace and stability and promoting common development and prosperity in the region.
The two sides believed that the security interests of Pakistan and China are closely interconnected.
"They will actively advocate the Asian security concept featuring common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security," the statement said.
"In fact, friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond," the two sides said in the statement.
Earlier in the day, China said its role in ties between India and Pakistan is to "promote peace talks" between them that will benefit all parties in the region.
The two nations also reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral non-discriminatory arms control and initiatives of non-proliferation. They agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards, in line with their respective bilateral and multilateral commitments.
China said appreciates and supports steps taken by Pakistan towards its mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime. In this context, China welcomes Pakistan's engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan, the statement said.
Pakistan said it supports China in elevating its relations with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The two sides said that the Pakistan-China relationship had acquired greater strategic significance against the backdrop of complex and changing international and regional situations.
The two sides agreed to elevate the Pakistan-China relationship to the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. The Chinese side reiterated that China has always placed its relationship with Pakistan on a priority position in its foreign policy agenda.
Pakistan said it is committed to one-China policy.
"Pakistan fully supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said.
The two sides will further enhance strategic communication and coordination to safeguard their common interests.
Both sides appreciate the progress to make China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an important project of 'the Belt and Road'.
The two sides said that the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives represent a new model of regional and South-South cooperation, which will offer new opportunities for Asia's rejuvenation and the common prosperity of all countries.
They said actively facilitate the important cooperation projects including the Karakoram Highway (Phase II) Upgrade and Reconstruction, the Gwadar Port, the Karachi-Lahore Motorway (Multan-Sukkur section), the Lahore Metro Orange Line, the Haier-Ruba Economic Zone, the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, the Pakistan-China Cross-border Fiber Optic Cable, the Landing of DTMB in Pakistan, as well as a number of energy, infrastructure and power generation projects.
The Chinese side reiterated that it will continue to support Pakistan's efforts to develop its economy, provide assistance to the reconstruction and related projects.
They also agreed to take appropriate measures to ease the imbalance in their bilateral trade.
Pakistan welcomed the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and both sides agreed to accelerate the preparation for the Bank to promote regional infrastructure construction and economic development.
They further agreed to enhance maritime cooperation, bring into full play the Pakistan-China Maritime cooperation dialogue mechanism, strengthen policy dialogue and strategic communication on maritime issues, and conduct close cooperation on navigation security, marine economy, the exploration and utilisation of marine resources, marine scientific research and environmental protection.
They also decided to set up a Joint Marine Scientific Research Centre in Pakistan. The Chinese side announced that it will hold a training course on maritime scientific research for South Asian countries in 2015.
The two sides will continue to enhance cooperation in fighting terrorism and national defence, and strengthen coordination on international and regional security affairs.
China commended Pakistan's major contribution to the international counter-terrorism efforts, and will continue to support Pakistan in implementing its counter-terrorism strategy in accordance with its national conditions and enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building.
They agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in space technology applications, expedite the integration process of remote sensing, telecommunication and navigation technologies for their extensive application in communications, hydrology, geology, disaster management, port management, mineral prospection, food security, water prospection and other areas for seeking potential advantage in social and economic development.
The two sides announced the agreement on establishment of sister city relations between Chengdu and Lahore, between Karamay and Gwadar as well as between Zhuhai and Gwadar.
They agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues of common interest, and maintain close communication and coordination within international and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
"China will actively support Pakistan's efforts to become a full member of SCO at an early date," the statement said.
The two sides support the reform of the UN and its Security Council to enable it to better discharge the responsibilities enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Prime Minister Sharif said that the landmark visit of President Xi would usher in a new era of development in Pakistan and start a new chapter in the friendship between the two countries.
The two leaders had a one-on-one meeting in addition to delegation-level talks. The meetings reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries, in addition to exchanging views on regional issues and international developments.
Mr Sharif appreciated President Xi Jinping's vision for enhanced cooperation with Asian countries, which demonstrates China's commitment to sharing the fruits of its progress with underdeveloped countries.
Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a core component of President Xi's vision for "One Road, One Belt", the Prime Minister said the CPEC will transform the economic dimension of the two countries' bilateral relationship.
The Prime Minister noted that President Xi's visit would inject impetus into the project as it enters the implementation stage.
Wide-ranging cooperation conceived under the CPEC, from Gwadar to energy and transport infrastructure projects, would transform Pakistan's economy and have a profound impact on the lives of all Pakistanis, he said.
The Chinese President said relations between China and Pakistan have developed into a strong tree having deep roots, nurtured by several generations of leadership of both the countries.
He said relations between the two countries have stood the test of time and have always remained healthy and strong.