Prime Minister Imran Khan held a virtual meeting with He Lifeng, Chairman of China’s National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference, on February 3 when he said "Pak-China strategic cooperative partnership is timetested and timeless."
Xinhua (February 6) reported that he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 6 after which a 33-point
joint statement was issued on February 7. The joint statement said, "The meetings were marked by traditional
warmth, strategic mutual trust and commonality of views that characterize the Pakistan-China All-Weather
Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and that "Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded the role of CPC leadership
with President Xi Jinping at its core for China's growth and prosperity and appreciated President Xi for his
personal contribution to promoting the enduring Pakistan-China partnership". It said both "leaders reaffirmed
that close strategic ties and deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China are time-tested and timeless"
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with the Pakistan side underscoring "that Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy
and that closest friendship with China enjoys the abiding support of the people of Pakistan. Both sides
reiterated their support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The Pakistan side expressed its
commitment to One-China Policy and support for China on Taiwan, South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang,
and Tibet. The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence
and security, as well as promoting its socio-economic development and prosperity". "Prime Minister Imran
Khan underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, CPEC has significantly contributed to Pakistan's
economic and social development" and both "agreed to task the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC)
to strengthen cooperation across all areas including in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial
development, agriculture modernization, scientific and technological cooperation and socio-economic wellbeing of local people". The two sides also agreed to launch the China-Pakistan health, industry, trade, green
and digital corridors while expressing "their strong determination to safeguard CPEC from all threats and
negative propaganda. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to making all-out efforts for the security of all
Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and the Chinese side expressed its appreciation for
the measures taken by Pakistan in this regard". Both sides agreed to continue the momentum in defence
cooperation at various levels and "underscored that stronger defence and security cooperation between
Pakistan and China was an important factor of peace and stability in the region". China recognized Pakistan's
sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism. Article 27 of the joint statement stated: "The Pakistan
side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its
concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was
a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant
Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate
the situation". In response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's invitation to visit Pakistan, the joint
statement noted that it was agreed "to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time".
An article in Asia Times (February 10) disclosed that during his recent (February 3-6) visit Pakistan’s Prime
Minister Imran Khan asked China for a US$ 9 billion bailout package comprised of financial support and the
rollover of existing debts to prevent a possible default on external payments worth $8.6 billion that come due
at the end of June. Khalid Mansoor, Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) who accompanied Imran Khan to Beijing, told media on February 7
that the Chinese leadership “took note” of the request while Khan was in Beijing but had not yet replied. He
said China agreed to consider Pakistan’s request for a $4 billion debt rollover and additional financial support
worth $5.5 billion by expanding an existing currency swap arrangement from $4.5 billion to $10 billion.
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