China always supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir issue: Barjees Tahir

Lahore: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir on Saturday said
China, being the time-tested friend, had always supported Pakistan’s principled stance on the longstanding Kashmir issue with India.
“Pakistan-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper
than oceans and sweater than honey,” he said in an interview with
APP in connection with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations
between Pakistan and China.China, he said, had effectively helped Pakistan in diverse
fields including setting up of basic infrastructure to overcome
energy crisis, economic development and supported Pakistan’s view
points on different international issues at every fora.

The minister said China had been asking the international
community to resolve the Kashmir issue in line with the resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council.
He said China also extended all possible assistance to
Pakistan in natural calamities like floods and earthquakes.
Barjees said both the countries embarked on the immortal
friendship journey on May 21, 1951, and congratulated the peoples
of Pakistan and China on the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic
relations.

The minister said the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) project would bring an economic revolution in the
region and make Pakistan the hub of trade activities, not only for
the Central East but the whole world.
Under the project, he said Pakistan, would get rid of the
energy crisis for ever, adding that Gwadar Port would be the
ultimate destination of the world trade activities.
Terming the CPEC ‘game-changer’, he said the Neelum-Jhelum
hydel power project would be completed next year with the Chinese
assistance.
“With completion of the CPEC, Pakistan-China’s immortal
friendship will achieve another milestone,” he remarked.

Besides, the minister said, China was significantly
cooperating with Pakistan in the defence sector.

He said China was also on the forefront to improve and
rehabilitate the Pakistan Railways, adding that China’s
cooperation for the Orange Train project could not be
forgotten.
Answering a question, Barjees said Pakistan too always
protected interests of China on every fora, adding that
Pakistan was the first Muslim country which had recognized
China when it came into being.
Pakistan, the minister said, had supported China on the
different issues including Taiwan and Tibbet. Pakistan also
played a key role for maintaining peace and ending terrorism
from the troubled part of China.
He said both the countries were used to exchange delegations
at different levels to further deepen the bilateral ties.

The minister expressed the confidence that the all-weather
friendship will get further strength with each passing day.