BEIJING, AUG 21 (DNA): Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua called on Chinese State Councilor, Yang Jiechi, on Monday at the start of her three-day visit to China.

During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and reiterated Pakistan’s support for China on its core issues.

The State Councilor noted that the recent visit of Chinese vice Premier Wang Yang to Pakistan to participate in celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of Independence on 14 August 2017 was in keeping with the long-standing traditions of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Both sides acknowledged that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and early completion of projects would bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

The Foreign Secretary and State Councillor discussed regional and international situation. The Foreign Secretary briefed the State Councilor about the grave situation of Kashmiri people in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Following her meeting with the State Councillor, the Foreign Secretary addressed researchers, scholars and academics at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) on “Foreign Policy of Pakistan and regional and global situation,” which was followed by an interactive question and answer session.=DNA

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