Pakistan, China set to hold talks on counter terrorism
Source : The News Date : April 13, 2013
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China will devise new methods to counter terrorism in their respective countries with mutual cooperation when the fresh round of dialogue between the two countries will take place in the Chinese capital Beijing early next week.
Additional Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has left for Beijing to take part in the high echelon talks with the Chinese senior officials on the question of counter terrorism. It would be first interaction of the senior officials of the two countries for the purpose ever-since new government has taken up reign in China. The new Chinese government is keenly interested to strengthen further the cooperative ties with Pakistan. China is also confronting the menace of terrorism like Pakistan and intriguingly the external forces which are out to destabilise Pakistan trough terror activities are also at work in some parts of China.
Aizaz Chaudhry, who is heading United Nations and Economic Coordination Affairs in the Foreign Office, told The News before leaving for Beijing that it would be eighth round of dialogue between Pakistan and China where the two countries will not only share their experiences and challenges on account of terror activities but they will also work out strategy to deal with the common threat. The talks will commence on Monday and will continue for two days. Aizaz Chaudhry will also have meetings with top officials of Chinese Foreign Office before returning home. Pakistan’s ambassador in China Masood Khalid will assist Pakistan’s four-member delegation in the talks.
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that extremist activities in Chinese province Xinjiang, neighbouring with Pakistan, will also figure in the talks informally. China has been appreciating Pakistan’s vital role in the global war on terrorism throughout and it has been urging the international community to recognise Pakistan’s contributionand sacrifices in this struggle. The Chinese have always appreciated Pakistan for its unwavering support on issues that relate to China’s core interests, including Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. The two countries indeed enjoyed complete convergence of views on all important regional and global issues. Pakistan regards any threat to China’s interests as a threat to its own interests. Pakistan has been supporting China’s efforts to resolve the South China Sea issue through peaceful means and diplomacy.
Aizaz Chaudhry sought guidance from Foreign Secretary Syed Jalil Abbas Jilani before leaving for the Chinese capital and chaired a meeting of the senior officials dealing with the subject in the Foreign Office, the sources said.
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-22242-Pakistan-China-set-to-hold-talks-on-counter-terrorism