BEIJING, 28 January, 2021 (TON): Talks held between Li Zhanshu, China’s top legislator and Asad Qaiser, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly.

While remembering the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, the media reported that Li, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Wednesday said the two sides should take this opportunity to carry out higher-level, broader and deeper cooperation.

The countries should strengthen high-level exchanges, promote anti-epidemic cooperation, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He said.

He added that the both countries should join hands in building the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) and turn the corridor into a project that demonstrates high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pakistan and China should also deepen multilateral coordination, jointly maintain the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard multilateralism and the basic norms of international relations, uphold fairness and justice to promote regional peace and prosperity, he said.

Li focused on the NPC’s willingness in continuing enhancing friendly exchanges with Pakistan’s National Assembly in order to promote the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state as well as bilateral cooperation agreements.

Asad Qaiser extended his heartfelt gratitude to China for the selfless assistance in coping with the ongoing condition and said Islamabad stands firmly with Beijing on issues of core interests.

A sound legal environment has been provided by Pakistan’s National Assembly for the joint construction of the BRI and the CPEC to actively contribute to the bilateral relations and friendship between the two.