President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday called for more robust cooperation with China in the areas of trade, economy, culture and defence.

He said that China was a reliable and tested friend, and Pakistan wanted to further strengthen the strategic relations, he said during his meeting with the Chinese diplomate.

He held meetings with the ambassadors of China, Venezuela and Colombia who presented their diplomatic credentials to him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Welcoming Chinese evnoy Jiang Zaidong, Alvi said that Pakistan highly valued its ties with China. Pakistan would continue to support China on all core issues, he added.

Highlighting the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the president said that CPEC would greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

He said the project had helped in modernizing infrastructure, building our capacity and ensuring a sustainable energy supply. Pakistan was fully committed to the timely completion of all projects under CPEC, he reiterated.

The president expressed his gratitude for China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s socio-economic development as well as its principled stance on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. 

In his meeting with Ambassador-designate of Venezuela Jose Rafael Silva Aponte, the president said that Pakistan placed special emphasis on improving trade and economic relations with Venezuela. He highlighted that Venezuelan investors could benefit from the investment-friendly policies of Pakistan.

Talking to the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Colombia, Julio Anibal Riano Velandia, President Alvi underlined the need for further enhancing economic, cultural and trade relations with Columbia.