CHINA AFTER THE XI-IMRAN MEETING IS AGAINST "UNILATERAL ACTIONS" ON KASHMIR.

As Prime Minister Imran Khan met with top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, on Sunday, China pledged closer cooperation with Pakistan under the USD 60 billion CPEC investment programme and called for resolving the Kashmir issue properly and peacefully while opposing any "unilateral actions" that could complicate the situation.

On the final day of his four-day visit to China, Khan met with President Xi to discuss a variety of issues, including the slow progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Beijing's growing concern over recurring attacks on Chinese personnel working in its various projects in Pakistan.

During his discussion with Khan, Xi stated that China is committed to Pakistan's national independence, sovereignty, and dignity, as well as its battle against terrorism, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. He stated that China is eager to work with Pakistan to advance the CPEC's in-depth development and assure the completion of key projects.

""A peaceful and prosperous South Asia is in the common interest of all parties," read a joint statement issued at the end of Khan's visit to China to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics' opening ceremony.

""They emphasised the necessity of pursuing dialogue and resolving all outstanding disputes in order to strengthen regional cooperation and advance the region's goals of long-term peace, stability, and shared prosperity," according to the statement.

"The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the most recent developments in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its worries, position, and current pressing issues." The Chinese side reaffirmed that the Kashmir conflict was a relic of history that should be settled appropriately and peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral moves that aggravate the situation, according to the statement.

In the past, India has vehemently rejected allusions to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by Pakistan and China, asserting that the union territory, as well as Ladakh, have been and would continue to be an integral and inalienable part of the country.

In July 2021, Arindam Bagchi, a spokeswoman for the External Affairs Ministry, protested to a mention to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in a joint statement by the two countries, claiming it is in Indian territory that Pakistan had unjustly occupied.

"India, as it has in the past, emphatically refuses any mention of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir's union territory and Ladakh's union territory have always been and always will be integral and inalienable parts of India "Bagchi had stated previously.

According to the spokesperson, India has continuously communicated to both China and Pakistan that the so-called CPEC is located on Indian soil. "We are adamantly opposed to any attempts by foreign countries to alter the status quo in regions illegally seized by Pakistan, as well as any material changes made by Pakistan in Indian territories under its illegal control. We demand that all parties involved stop acting in this manner "he stated

China acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices and efforts in the battle against terrorism, according to the joint statement, and both sides reiterated their commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Both parties agreed to maintain the pace in defence cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and China at all levels," it stated. China has surpassed the United States as Pakistan's largest supplier of armaments, including combat tanks, fighter jets, and the most modern naval frigates.

"They emphasised that enhanced defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China is a vital aspect in maintaining regional peace and stability," the statement said.

While advocating for "firmer confidence" in China-Pakistan relations, Xi stated that the "strategic significance" of all-weather relationships is "becoming more obvious" as the two nations sign many agreements to strengthen all-weather ties. "Both sides expressed their strong determination to safeguard CPEC from all threats and malicious propaganda," according to the joint statement.

Pakistan reaffirmed its willingness to go to great lengths to ensure the safety of all Chinese employees, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, and the Chinese side praised Pakistan's efforts.

In the wake of many attacks on Pakistani workers working on the CPEC, China has repeatedly urged Pakistan to beef up security for thousands of its employees. Khan lauded China's leadership for hosting the Winter Olympics, which the US and its allies boycotted due to human rights atrocities against Uygur Muslims in Xinjiang.

The two sides signed a slew of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to coincide with his visit, covering bilateral cooperation in economic and technical, industry, investment, infrastructure, space, vaccine, digitalisation, standardisation, disaster management, culture, sports, and vocational education, according to the joint statement.

According to China's envoy to Islamabad, Nong Rong, the new Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation to commence development of the second phase of the CPEC, in which China has already invested roughly USD 25 billion, was the most prominent of these agreements whose specifics were not published. Xi urged on the two sides to "build a better future for bilateral ties with firmer confidence" during his meeting with Khan, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. He didn't go into detail.

"The two parties are ready to discuss with Afghanistan the extension of the CPEC to Afghanistan," the joint statement added. Xi expressed China's willingness to work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in areas such as science and technology, agriculture, and people's well-being, as well as to build a green, healthy, and digital corridor and support Pakistan's industrialization in order to improve the country's ability to achieve sustainable development. Xi stated that China is eager to improve coordination and cooperation with Pakistan on multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, in order to protect world and regional peace and stability.

In a meeting with Khan on Saturday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated that Pakistan is China's top priority in neighbourhood diplomacy and that China encourages its business firms to invest.

According to Khan, Pakistan is eager to take aggressive actions to promote the second phase of the CPEC and deepen collaboration with China in the domains of industry, agriculture, and information technology.

Khan's journey to China is his fourth; his previous visit was in October of this year.