HAINAN: Pakistan and China have agreed to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests and promote peace, prosperity, and development in the region.

The consensus to this effect was reached during the second round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Hainan, China.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistan while the Chinese side was represented by the State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to a Joint Press Release issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson in Islamabad today, the two sides exchanged views on COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in developing a vaccine to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, and strive to promote establishment of China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future and Community of Common Health.

They agreed to continue their firm support on issues concerning each other's core national interests.

Both sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia is in common interest of all parties.

The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues. 

The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, which is an objective fact. It said the Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully and properly through the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Afghan issue and appreciated the efforts made by Afghan government and the Taliban to initiate the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.

Meanwhile, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China and Pakistan were true friends and good brothers sharing weal and woe.

Talking to media along with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi after co-chairing second China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Hainan province, he said since outbreak of COVID-19, China and Pakistan had worked together to help each other in times of difficulty.

He said both the countries shared experience in epidemic prevention and fight and provided medical supplies to each other, setting an example of inter-country cooperation in fight against the epidemic.