China firmly backs Pak's sovereignty, core interests: Xi tells Hussain

President Xi Jinping has assured his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain of China's firm backing in Islamabad's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests.

In his meeting with Hussain on June 9 on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Qingdao, Xi said China attaches high importance to its relationship with Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media here today.

Xi told Hussain that China would like to maintain high-level and strategic exchanges, expand friendly communications in all areas and enhance energy and transportation cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Geng said answering a question about the meeting.

The two sides will also agreed to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, he said.

"Xi stressed that China will firmly support Pakistan's efforts in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

China will support Pakistan's choice of development path and issues concerning Pakistan's core interests, Xi told Hussain and hoped Pakistan will do the same in backing China's core interests.

Hussain said that China is a reliable friend and partner for Pakistan.

Pakistan-China relation are unshakable. Pakistan is committed to the One China Policy and support China's core interests," he said.

Pakistan stands ready to enhance overall cooperation with China, look forward to CPEC and stay in close coordination on major international issues, Hussain told Xi.

Pakistan also supports China in playing a big role in international affairs since it is of great importance to global stability and security, Hussain told Xi, Geng said.

The SCO summit concluded at Qingdao yesterday. It was the first summit after the admission of India and Pakistan into the eight-member grouping last year.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.