China, Pakistan eye better cooperation, further regional integration

（Xinhua）  09:09, July 06, 2013  

BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) -- China and Pakistan have agreed to step up their partnership and accelerate the regional economic integration process through better cooperation in various fields.

The consensus was reached when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held talks with his visiting Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, on Friday in Beijing.

Li recalled fondly his visit to Pakistan in May, noting that the China-Pakistan partnership bears more strategic significance in the new context of the international situation.

"China always prioritizes its ties with Pakistan in its foreign policies," Li told Sharif.

Li said a western development strategy has been adopted as a significant and long-term policy to promote the country's reform and opening up process, noting that such a policy could work well with Pakistan's national economic development endeavors and, as a result, deepen regional cooperation in the area of South Asia.

To promote regional peace, stability and development, he called on Asian countries, including China and Pakistan, to maintain their confidence in Asian economic growth and regional cooperation and step up the region's economic integration process.

"China hopes the Pakistani government will take effective measures to safeguard the safety and security of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan," Li added.