Pakistan has made important contributions, enormous sacrifices to the fight against terrorism: China

During a new briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said: " China has been defending Pakistan. The thing is we are rightfully defending all countries that are doing their bit against terrorism, not just Pakistan."

Speaking further on the issue, he said,"Terrorism is a common enemy for all mankind, and fighting against it needs the collective efforts of the international community. China consistently opposes linking terrorism with any specific country, nor approves shifting the whole responsibility onto one specific country."

He said Pakistan has made important contributions and faced enormous sacrifices in its fight against terrorism.

"We have said many times that Pakistan has made important contributions as well as enormous sacrifices to the fight against terrorism. Pakistan deserves full acknowledgement from the international community on its counter-terrorism efforts. All countries shall enhance counter-terrorism cooperation and benefit from synergy while bearing in mind mutual respect and equality, rather than hurling accusations and pressurizing upon each other which works against the international community cooperating effectively against terrorism," he said.

Speaking to reporters, on cooperating with the US, he said: "Whether we would cooperate with the US. Like I said, China supports and actively participates in the international counter-terrorism cooperation that is built on mutual respect and equality."

In what could be seen as a sign of increasing tension between the USA and Pakistan, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley recently confirmed that its administration is all set to withhold USD255 million in aid to the south Asian nation.

She also accused the Asian nation of playing 'double game for years'.

"They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan," Haley was quoted as saying by CNN.

Giving out a strong message to Pakistan, she said: "That game is not acceptable to this administration."

She said US President Donald Trump is willing "to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbor and support terrorism."

The US on Thursday announced it was placing Pakistan in a 'Special Watch List'.

"Today, the Department of State announces that the Secretary of State re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as Countries of Particular Concern on December 22, 2017. The Secretary also placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom," read a statement issued by the US State Department.

Protesting against the US move to place it on a “Special Watch List” for “severe violations of religious freedom", Pakistan has said it is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country said: " Pakistan rejects the US designation of Pakistan in the ''Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom.'''The report is not based on objective criteria. This placement on special watch list is a new categorization and we would be seeking clarification from the US regarding its rationale and implications."

The statement further said: "The designation overlooks the significant achievements of Pakistan in the area of human rights. Pakistan is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights including the right of religious freedom, under its Constitution. Wide ranging legislative, institutional and administrative measures have been taken by the Government of Pakistan to ensure full implementation of guarantees afforded by the Constitution."

It said: "The international community is aware of the incremental steps being taken by Pakistan that have brought about positive changes on ground. It is surprising that countries that have a well known record of systematic persecution of religious minorities have not been included in the list. This reflects the double standards and political motives behind the listing and hence lacks credibility."

Pakistan further said it will continue to work with the international community to ensure that internationally agreed standards on religious freedom are observed in  the country and the broader region.