China describes Pakistan as “all-weather” strategic partner

China also appreciated Pakistan and said it has 'exercised restraint, remained calm and insisted on bringing down tensions' through dialogue with India. 

Speaking about Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou’s visit to Pakistan, foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said during a press conference on Thursday: "Maybe you have seen reports on Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou's visit to Pakistan. Vice Foreign Minister Kong paid the visit at the invitation of the Pakistani government and had in-depth communication and exchange of views with Pakistan on the current Pakistan-India situation. During the visit, Vice Foreign Minister Kong met with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of the Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshiand and held deep talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua."

"During the talks, Vice Foreign Minister Kong emphasized that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. China appreciates that Pakistan has exercised restraint, remained calm and insisted on bringing down tensions through dialogue with India. He explicitly reiterated that China believes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and that we would not like to see any action that violates the basic norms of international law. China repeats its call on India and Pakistan to refrain from actions that might aggravate the current situation, demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, and start dialogue at an early date for the sake of regional peace and stability. China will continue to play a constructive role toward this end," he said.

"Pakistan expressed appreciation to China for its objective and impartial stand on the Pakistan-India situation and thanked China for its efforts to facilitate the easing of tensions. The Pakistani side reiterated clearly that it does not want to see an escalation and stands ready to resolve differences and disputes with India peacefully through dialogue. Pakistan welcomes the international community including China to play constructive roles to this end," he said.

Relationship between India and Pakistan have deteriorated in recent times over the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Feb 14 which left at least 40 Indian paramilitary forces personnel killed.

Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou in Pakistan

On March 6, 2019, Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Pakistan.

"During his stay in Pakistan, Kong Xuanyou met respectively with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan and held talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua of Pakistan. Both sides mainly exchanged in-depth views on the current situation between Pakistan and India as well as other relevant issues," read a statement issued by the Chinese government.

Image: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs