BEIJING: China has rejected India’s objection to the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam and said that the economic cooperation between China and Pakistan was aimed at promoting development and improving the well-being of the local population.
At a regular briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the dam project was mutually-beneficial and win-win for the “two all-weather friends” and strategic cooperative partners.
“China and Pakistan conduct the economic cooperation in order to promote the economic development and improve the well-being of the local population,” said the spokesperson, while responding to a question.
Zhao rejected Indian external affairs ministry’s objections to the project. He said that China’s position on the issue of Kashmir was consistent and added economic cooperation between China and Pakistan aims to boost local economic growth and improve people’s livelihoods for the benefit of all.
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Responding to another question, the spokesperson highly praised a resolution unanimously passed by the Senate of Pakistan on Thursday that thanked China and President Xi Jinping for support to Pakistan in the fight against Covid-19.
“China appreciates the relevant resolution. Since the start of the outbreak, China and Pakistan have supported and worked closely with each other to jointly fight the virus. We will never forget that,” Zhao told reporters.
He said that during China’s fight against the virus, Pakistan poured in its domestic resources to help Beijing with medical supplies. He added China had now provided batches of grants to meet Pakistan’s needs, sent experts and mobilised all sectors of society to donate supplies to help Pakistan.
“The virus knows no borders or races. To smear and stigmatize other countries is to sabotage and disrupt international cooperation against it. The facts are crystal clear, and justice always prevails,” he remarked.
“We highly appreciate Pakistan’s objective and just position on this issue and we will like to continue to uphold the vision of a community with shared future for mankind, strengthen cooperation with international community including Pakistan and work together to win this fight against the virus,” he added.
