Pakistan FM leaves for 2-day China visit

Shah Mahmood Qureshi's China visit would represent Islamabad's stance of political and military leadership amid multiple changing equations across the globe.

Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday left for a two-day visit to China to attend the second round of the Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue.

In a video message released before his departure, Qureshi said that he was going on a "very important trip to China" and that he had a discussion with Prime Minister Imran Khan before leaving, reported Dawn news.

"I am leaving on a very important visit to China. I had a discussion with the Prime Minister regarding this visit yesterday (Wednesday). My delegation will represent the stance of the political and military leadership of the country."

"I am hopeful that my meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi will prove to be beneficial for both countries," he was quoted as saying in the video.

Qureshi, who is accompanied by senior officials, will visit China's Hainan province where he will lead the Pakistani delegation in the dialogue, according to a Foreign Office statement.

State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will lead the Chinese side during the dialogue.

"During the dialogue, both sides will discuss cooperation on COVID-19, bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest," Dawn news reported citing the statement as saying.

The visit will play an important role in further strengthening Islamabad-Beijing's cooperative partnership and deepen strategic communication and coordination with China on a range of issues.

The first round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue took place in March 2019.

IANS