Xi Jinping: "Pakistan is a true friend and good brother who shared hardships together"

Photo by Xinhua News Agency

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly hosted the President of Pakistan, who visited China amid the COVID-19 situation, praising the China-Pakistan relationship as "true friends and good brothers."

On the 18th, the Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, reported on its front page that President Xi and Pakistani President Arif Alvi held a summit the previous day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In the published photo, President Xi is seen smiling brightly while shaking hands with President Alvi without a mask.

President Xi told President Alvi, "After the outbreak of COVID-19, you were the first to send a letter of consolation, and this time you came in person to express firm support for China. China deeply appreciates the Pakistani government and all sectors of society for their full efforts in donating epidemic prevention supplies to China."

He added, "China and Pakistan are true friends who have shared hardships and good brothers who have shared happiness and sorrow. The special friendship between the two countries is a choice of history and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the peoples of both nations."

President Xi explained, "It is the common wish of the peoples of both countries to consolidate and develop the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan. China will continue to support Pakistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and actively promote the development of the 'Belt and Road' project created by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)."

In response, President Alvi said, "Under President Xi's leadership, China's fight against COVID-19 has achieved significant results. China's experience has become a good example for other countries. Pakistan consistently supports China on issues related to China's core interests and will maintain close relations and strengthen cooperation with China."

On the same day, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who accompanied President Alvi, explained in an interview with Chinese media in Beijing that the background of President Alvi's visit to China was "to show Pakistan's support and solidarity with China, which is fighting COVID-19."

Meanwhile, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding containing large-scale economic support from China to Pakistan and also issued a joint statement strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.