World should support Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts: China

BEIJING: China has asked the international community to acknowledge and support the counter-terrorism efforts of Pakistan.
 During a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said Pakistan is on the forefront of the global fight against terrorism.  He said Pakistan has made important sacrifices and contributions to fighting terrorism and maintaining regional security and stability.  The spokesperson said Pakistan and Afghanistan should work together to improve peace in the region. 

While brushing aside a question that China has offered Pakistan to build a dam in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and integrate it with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said the CPEC is a new cooperation framework for the two countries to achieve a long-term development.
 He said this corridor will not only promote the common and bilateral development of the two countries but also contribute the development and prosperity of the region.
 “We know that there are some concerns about this corridor but we keep stressing that this economic corridor is just an economic initiative for cooperation and it targets no third country and does not connect with any sovereign disputes,” he added.
 Shuang hoped that the disputes between India and Pakistan will be resolved properly through consultations and negotiations.
 Regarding a question about an update on the two Chinese nationals kidnapped and reportedly killed in Pakistan, he said the Chinese government attaches high importance to this case, adding, “We are still coordinating with the Pakistani side to verify the situation.