Pakistan will always stand by China & safeguard China’s core interests: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING, May 22 (SABAH): President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that Pakistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history.

In an interview with the Chinese media published on Wednesday, President Asif Ali Zardari said Taiwan is part of China. He said Pakistan will always stand by China and safeguard China’s core interests.

Commenting on the development of Gwadar Port, a starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Asif Ali Zardari said a lot of work has been done at the Gwadar Port since the launch of the CPEC eleven years ago.

He said the Port would always welcome investors from all over the world. The President said Pakistan is encouraging more schools to adopt the Chinese language into their compulsory curriculum.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, he called for more policies to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries.

Appreciating the achievements made by the Chinese people, the President said that ensuring the continuation of policies is one of the key reasons behind China’s success.

He said Pakistan hopes to be more involved in China’s development process.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin addressing his regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday said President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement reiterating Pakistan’s firm adherence to the One-China principle and its opposition to Taiwan Independence, is highly appreciate.

He said the firm opposition to “Taiwan independence” not only shows firm support for China’s just position, but also echoes the common aspiration of countries upholding fairness and justice in the world.

Wang Wenbin said China highly appreciates these remarks by President Zardari.

He said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and “iron” friends.

He said China and Pakistan will continue to give each other firm support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns and work together to build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future.