Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in diverse fields including the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu and Interior Minister Rehman met in Islamabad on Tuesday and discussed bilateral relations, regional situation and matters of mutual interests.
Later talking to the media persons, the Chinese Vice Premier said that Beijing values its time tested and all weather friendship with Pakistan which has stood the test of times.
Describing his interaction with Pakistani leadership as fruitful, he said that his country wants to further promote bilateral relations and take them to new heights.
He said that China will provide eight million Yuan for the capacity building of Pakistan’s security agencies. Ammunition and technical assistance also would be provided to Pakistan, he added.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that both the sides have agreed to continue cooperation in the fight against terrorism, adding that China’s foe is our enemy as well.
Interior minister vowed to attack Chinese militants hiding out in his country’s tribal regions, saying China’s enemies were also Islamabad’s.
Rehman Malik made the strong show of support for Beijing after a meeting with visiting Chinese Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu.
The trip comes as Pakistan’s ties with the United States have soured over allegations that Islamabad supports Afghan insurgents that are also based in Pakistan’s tribal regions. Some Pakistani officials hope that China can fill any diplomatic and economic void if Washington decides to sever or downgrade ties with Islamabad.
Muslim militants from China’s western province Xingjian are known to be training and fighting on the Pakistan side of the Afghan border, along with al-Qaeda and other international extremist networks. They have claimed attacks in China and issued statements threatening Beijing.
“We will strike very hard against them,” Malik said. “Anybody who is the enemy of China is the enemy of Pakistan.”
At the time when Chinese vice premier reached at Interior Ministry for meeting the strict security measures were taken, even the employees of the ministry were not allowed to enter into the premises of the ministry.
September 27, 2011