ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan and China complete convergence on fully leveraging Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as an important regional platform for development and connectivity. Bilawal met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on sidelines of Council of Foreign Ministers meetings of SCO.

During meeting, Bilawal and Wang reviewed progress in bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.  He expressed satisfaction at frequent high-level interactions between two sides which was a hallmark of bilateral relations.  He underscored that his third meeting with Wang reflected importance attached by both sides to maintaining strategic communication, further deepening Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and advancing economic engagement for mutual benefit. Bilawal emphasised that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) development had reached a new phase, with increasing emphasis on high-quality development of industry, agriculture, IT and science and technology, while ensuring tangible socio-economic benefits for people.

The two sides discussed latest developments in Afghanistan, agreeing that peace and stability in Afghanistan were vital for regional development and prosperity. They also agreed that only a peaceful, stable and connected Afghanistan could act as a fulcrum for enhanced regional trade and connectivity.