On May 22, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council respectively held large-scale and small-scale talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso in Islamabad, reaching major consensus on deepening China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership.
Li Keqiang said that China-Pakistan relationship has withstood the test of time and the two countries are all-weather friends and partners that can trust and rely on each other. In the complex and volatile international and regional situation, the two countries have always maintained sound strategic communication and coordination. The Chinese side has always put the China-Pakistan relationship as a top priority of its diplomacy, wishing to work with Pakistan to maintain the traditional friendship and to promote the comprehensive cooperation for common development.
Li Keqiang said that the Chinese side is willing to work with the Pakistani side to deepen their strategic cooperative partnership. First, to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, maintaining high-level exchange of visits and meetings to steer the bilateral relationship forward. Second, to reinforce strategic and long-term planning, expanding cooperation in the new areas of interconnection, interworking and maritime affairs. To start formulating a long-term plan for the China-Pakistan economic corridor project to gradually push forward the construction of the economic corridor. Third, to raise the level of bilateral trade and realize a dynamic balance while expanding the scale of two-way trade. To encourage Chinese enterprises to join in the infrastructure construction in Pakistan. Fourth, to boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will provide support in faculty training, funding and teaching materials for Pakistan to promote Chinese language teaching in the country. To enhance cooperation between the media and to help Chinese TV channels to land in Pakistan. To deepen exchanges between the young people to carry forward the China-Pakistan traditional friendship. Fifth, to promote cooperation in international and regional affairs to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
Li Keqiang said that China respects the development path Pakistan has chosen in accordance with its own national conditions, and will continue to firmly support Pakistan in defending its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is willing to provide help with no strings attached within its ability for Pakistan's economic development and to seek common progress in state governance through exchanges and mutual learning.
On behalf of the Pakistani government and the people, Zardari warmly welcomed Li Keqiang for his visit. Zardari said that Li Keqiang paid the visit at a crucial moment in the history of Pakistan, sets another important milestone in bilateral relations and will surely push for new and greater development of the Pakistan-China relationship. China is a true friend and reliable partner of Pakistan. The Pakistani side is sincerely grateful to China for its long-term firm support for and unselfish assistance to Pakistan, being glad and admiring from the bottom of the heart for China's achievements on development. Pakistan is willing to firmly grasp the opportunities brought about by China's rapid development and to join hands with China to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, so as to improve the well-being of the two peoples and to promote regional and global peace, stability and development.
On the same day, Li Keqiang exchanged in-depth views with over ten leaders of political parties of Pakistan on strengthening bilateral relations. Li Keqiang thanked the political parties of Pakistan for being long committed to the China-Pakistan friendship, hoping that they will make new contributions to the cause of the China-Pakistan relationship. The party leaders noted that the Pakistan-China friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and it is a nationwide consensus of Pakistan. They are willing to play a positive role for a bright future of the Pakistan-China friendship.
Li Keqiang met as well with staff of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and representatives of Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.