Relations with Pakistan

In a separate meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, Xi called on the South Asian country to develop even closer coordination and coope rat ion with China, given the complex international and regional landscape.

Noting that the meeting was the third in eight months, Xi said it demonstrates the high level of development in the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan.

Both countries should better uphold, consolidate and develop this relationship and all-around cooperation, Xi said, adding they should have in-depth communications on issues of common concern to jointly safeguard international and regional security and stability.

He called for solid efforts in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with emphasis on the building of industrial parks, agriculture and other projects to improve people's well-being in the expansion of bilateral trade.

Xi said China supports Islamabad's efforts to counter terrorism and stands ready to help it strengthen capacity building in that regard. He added that China also supports Pakistan in improving relations with India.

The Pakistani prime minister noted the praise in his country for China's positive role in promoting international and regional peace and security, and said Pakistan was committed to deepening its strategic relationship with China.

Pakistan stands firm in promoting the construction of the economic corridor with China, and will take effective steps to provide security assurances, he said.