BEIJING, July 27 (INP): China reassured that it would stand by Pakistan in its socio-economic development through Belt and Road’s initiative and CPEC. “We attach great importance to its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Pakistan and stay committed to increasing its trade and investment cooperation with Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said here at a press Conference.

In recent years, China's direct investment in Pakistan, which has been increasing at a fast pace thanks to the concerted efforts of the two sides, has driven up bilateral practical cooperation and Pakistan's economic and social development. China is pleased about that. The Chinese government will continue encouraging competent Chinese enterprises to invest and open up business in Pakistan and forge mutually beneficial cooperation.

As the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor moves forward, China's investment to Pakistan will grow bigger, the spokesperson added. He was commenting on the data from the Central Bank of Pakistan, released last week, according to which China was on top among other countries with 1.186 billion USD foreign direct investments in fiscal year 2016-2017 in Pakistan. This investment was termed as highly important for the economic development of Pakistan.

Commenting on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s reported statement that the only solution for the China-India standoff in Donglang is for the Indian troops to back out honestly, Lu Kang said the Minister's authoritative statement is clear enough and needs no further interpretation. As for the military alignment in the region, he said referred to the Defense Ministry’s last week’s statement on the issue. As for any dialogues between the two sides, the spokesperson made it clear that the root cause of this incident is the illegal trespassing of the Indian border troops into China's territory.

To resolve this issue, the Indian border troops must withdraw without further ado, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. That would be the precondition and basis for any meaningful dialogue. To another about the Dalai Lama’s visit abroad, the spokesperson said China has made its position clear on the 14th Dalai Lama's planned visit to the relevant country. He stressed that Xizang-related issues concern China's sovereignty and territory integrity. “We demand that the relevant country shall earnestly respect China's core interests and make the correct political decision on this matter. China will not interfere in other countries' internal affairs, but will not accept another country doing anything that harms China's core interests,” he added. 

Credit/INP-wealthpk