Pakistani FM's visit to enhance cooperation

China has said it is aiming at better strategic communication and coordination with Pakistan, and has vowed to further constructively promote a full-scale and lasting ceasefire between Pakistan and India.

The Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is visiting China from Monday to Wednesday.

Asked about the visit, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners who enjoy close high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

"China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity with Pakistan to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen strategic communication and coordination, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields," she said at a daily news conference in Beijing.

On May 10, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Dar, expressing concern over the escalation of the Pakistan-India conflict.

Asked if Dar's visit is related to the current tensions, Mao said, "Both India and Pakistan are important neighbors of China, and China attaches great importance to both China-India ties and China-Pakistan relations."

China remains committed to developing relations with all neighboring countries, she said. It always upholds the philosophy and guidelines of fostering an "amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood" and seeking amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, she added.

"We support and welcome that India and Pakistan realized a ceasefire and stand ready to continue playing a constructive role in achieving a full-scale and lasting ceasefire and in maintaining peace and stability in the region."

Mao also said Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp will pay his first visit to China from Wednesday to Thursday.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn