In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the Chinese vice foreign minister called on the army chief at the GHQ on Monday.

Matters of mutual interest and measures to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

“Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners,” the Chinese vice foreign minister said and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards regional peace and stability.

The COAS thanked the visiting dignitary for his warm remarks. “Relations between Pakistan and China are founded on a common understanding of regional peace, stability and prosperity for the people of both countries,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese vice foreign minister attended the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination meeting in Islamabad.

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Sun Weidong co-chaired the meeting. According to the Foreign Office statement, it exemplified the commitment of both countries to foster international cooperation and coordination including on CPEC.

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CPEC is a collection of infrastructure and other projects. The key agreement for the projects to be listed under the multi-billion dollar project was signed in 2013, and term sheets for them were signed during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in 2015.

Sun Weidong was China’s ambassador to Pakistan when CPEC was launched. He also served as the country’s envoy to India in the past.

Islamabad has so far received $25.4 billion in direct Chinese investment in various transport, energy, and infrastructure schemes under the flagship connectivity and investment corridor project, under the flagship connectivity and investment corridor project, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.