Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said relationship with China is cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and an anchor for regional peace and development.

Talking to Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Ma Xingrui in Urumqi on Friday, he recalled his meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and appreciated strong personal commitment of the Chinese leadership to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Reiterating the importance of Xinjiang for Pakistan, Prime Minister Anwaar ul Kakar underscored that the region held a specific significance due to its geographical, historical and cultural affinity with Pakistan.

He stressed the importance of deepening of linkages between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan in diverse fields ranging from trade and investment to cultural and people-to-people ties.

Thanking the Prime Minister for visiting Xinjiang, Party Secretary Ma Xingrui stated that there is immense potential to deepen Pakistan-Xinjiang ties in multiple domains. He expressed Xinjiang’s willingness to explore business and trade opportunities in Pakistan and to further facilitate commercial and people-to-people ties via Khunjerab-Sost border crossing.

The two sides agreed to work together to harness the full potential of cooperation between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan.