UFA: Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that Beijing welcomes Pakistan’s upcoming entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Xi made the remarks when meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif prior to the 15th SCO summit, which is set to start procedures for granting India and Pakistan full membership.
“China is willing to maintain close cooperation with Pakistan within the SCO framework,” said the Chinese president.
In his opening remarks Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, “Friendship with China is a cornerstone of our foreign policy.”
He appreciated the personal commitment of the Chinese leader to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The prime minister thanked the president for the support China has extended to Pakistan in the country’s effort to become a full member of the SCO.
Pakistan and India are now among the five observers of the SCO, which currently groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
INP