FM Bilawal, Chinese counterpart meet in China

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday.

They discussed economic coordination, industrialization and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and issues of mutual interests.

The meeting took place in Guangzhou, where the Foreign Minister arrived earlier today for his first bilateral visit at Wang’s invitation since he took office in April.

On Twitter, Bilawal thanked Wang for his warm welcome and courtesy. “During wide-ranging talks with State Councilor Wang Yi, discussed enhanced economic engagement, trade, investments, industrialisation and CPEC cooperation. Issues facing students also discussed,” he said, adding that both parties were determined to elevate the multi-pronged partnership.

Yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs said his visit coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with China.

“Landed in Guangzhou, China on my first bilateral visit. Today also marks the 71st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. Looking forward to meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations,” he tweeted following his arrival in the city of southern China, which is also the largest city and capital of the Chinese province of Guangdong.

The minister left on Saturday for his two-day visit to the neighbouring country, the first high-level face-to-face interaction between the two countries since the coalition government came into power in April.

According to China’s state-affiliated Global Times, the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit was one of the high-level exchanges between China and Pakistan which recently included a congratulatory message from Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and a phone conversation between the two leaders on 16 May 2022.