BEIJING, SEPT 07 (DNA) – A foreign office statement issued in Islamabad said Foreign Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, will pay a one-day visit to China on Friday.

China believes that Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif’s visit to Beijing on Friday will be of crucial importance for taking a common stance on regional and international issues, especially in the context of US’s new policy on Afghanistan.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China and Pakistan are strategic partners. The two countries enjoy strong bilateral relations with frequent high-level exchanges and productive cooperation outcomes.

During Pakistan’s Foreign Minister’s visit, Chinese leaders including  Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold meetings with him. The two sides will exchange views on China-Pakistan relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, the announcement added.

During the visit, the Foreign Minister will hold meetings with the State Councillor for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yang Jiechi, and Foreign Minister, H.E. Wang Yi. The two sides will review bilateral relations and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.

Khawaja Asif’s visit will boost the cooperation consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, deepen across-the-board practical cooperation centred on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and promote communication and coordination between the two countries on the international and regional front.

Meanwhile, China has vehemently denied that Pakistan was targeted on the issue of counter-terrorism in any manner whatsoever in the joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen.

Pakistan’s name was not even mentioned in the text of the declaration. There is no question of any change in China’s consistent policy supporting Pakistan on the issue of counter-terrorism, said Chinese diplomatic sources.=DNA

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