Pakistan made great sacrifices in fighting terror, country has ‘clear conscience’:China

Pakistan has made great sacrifices in fighting terror and has a clear conscience, China said on Friday, barely five days after Beijing joined other Brics members in condemning the terror groups operating from that country.

China's message of support came during a joint press conference foreign minister Wang Yi addressed with his visiting Pakistani counterpart Khwaja Muhammad Asif.

Some countries should recognise Pakistan's great sacrifices, Wang said.

"Pakistan is an important participant in fight against global terrorism," Pakistan's Geo News quoted him as saying.

Khawaja Asif, addressing the press conference, thanked China for its "unflinching support for Pakistan" in the war against terrorism and its commitment to Pakistan's progress and development.

He said the relations between China and Pakistan are exemplary and are based on history, mutual trust, equality, harmony, non-interference and common agenda of socioeconomic development.

Asif said Pakistan deeply values China's support for Pakistan's territorial integrity and asserted Pakistan's support for One China policy and China's interests in Taiwan and South China sea.

Pakistan and China consult each other on all global issues, Asif remarked.

On US President Donald Trump's revised policy towards Afghanistan war, Asif said there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.

On China's commitment to Pakistan's development, Asif called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a "flagship project" and vowed action against any threat to the project.

Asif reached Beijing Friday evening on a state visit to China to hold discussions on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest in terms of regional and international strategies.

Top officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry welcomed Asif as he arrived at the airport accompanied by Lieutenant General (retd) Nasser Janjua -- Pakistan's national security adviser.

During his visit, Asif will also be holding important talks with other leaders of the country, according to a press briefing by Geng Shuang -- the spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Pakistan and China -- the all-weather strategic partners -- have seen their relationship grow with sound momentum, based on frequent high-level exchanges and fruitful outcome of practical cooperation.

With regard to Asif's visit, Shuang said it is another important event that will further help implement the cooperation consensus reached between the two leaders. He said the deep and practical cooperation --especially in terms of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) -- would enhance coordination and communication on international and regional fronts.

Asif is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese foreign minister.