Pakistani, Chinese officials meet amid tension with US

Pakistan and China yesterday pledged closer co-ordination on Afghanistan.The understanding on enhanced co-operation for peace in Afghanistan was reached at a meeting of Chinese Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs Deng Xijun with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua for a discussion on efforts for peace and stability in the war-torn country. “They agreed to strengthen co-operation in the ongoing efforts for facilitating peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan as well as promoting meaningful engagement between the three neighbourly countries,” a Foreign Office statement on the meeting said.Pakistan and China are already closely working together on Afghanistan and have been part of a number of processes for peace and stability there.Ambassador Deng is visiting Pakistan as the country reels from the shock of US President Donald Trump’s new policy for Afghanistan and South Asia in which it was severely criticised for allegedly allowing terrorist sanctuaries on its soil and India was given a greater regional role. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary meeting with China’s special envoy on Afghan affairs came a day after Islamabad cancelled a scheduled visit by a top US official.The decision by Pakistan to postpone the visit of Alice Wells, acting assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, came a week after President Donald Trump said Islamabad was prolonging the war in Afghanistan.Trump had accused Pakistan of harbouring “agents of chaos” and providing safe havens for militant groups waging an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.Pakistani officials responded by saying the US should not “scapegoat” Pakistan and accused the American military of failing to eliminate militant sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.Wells had been due to discuss Trump’s new Afghan policy during her time in Islamabad.The meeting between Chinese envoy Deng Xijun and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua discussed “efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Pakistan’s foreign office said.“The Chinese special envoy lauded Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism...he said Pakistan’s efforts towards eliminating the scourge of terrorism should be fully recognised by the international community,” the foreign office said.Beijing has pledged to spend $57bn on infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of its “Belt and Road” initiative.China’s spending in Pakistan has helped to revive the country’s sputtering economy.The deepening ties between the two nations have turned Pakistan into a key cog in China’s plan to build a modern-day “Silk Road” of land and sea trade routes linking Asia with Europe and Africa.Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chauhdry said the relations between the two countries would continue despite ups and downs and the recent cancellation of visit of a senior US official on Pakistan’s request.When asked about the reasons for the cancellation of a visit by Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice Wells, the ambassador explained that Eid al-Adha festival is around the corner and there are a couple of conferences being organised in Pakistan immediately after Eid.“But the relations between the two countries will continue,” he said adding: “There have been ups and downs in the ties of the two countries but it is important that two countries consider the areas where they can work together and try to remove differences.”The ambassador was speaking to the newsman at the inauguration of 31st Annual Pakistani Festival in Virginia. He said the ties have experienced such ups and downs in the past too and eventually the two countries resolved differences.“I hope both countries will realise again that working together is in their best mutual interest,” ambassador Chaudhry said. A State Department spokesperson said the visit was cancelled at the request of Pakistani government.“At the request of the government of Pakistan, that trip has been postponed until a mutually convenient time,” the spokesperson said without any further comments.Earlier, while addressing a gathering of thousands of Pakistani American at the festival, the ambassador said Pakistan is becoming a modern and dynamic state with an enormous potential for social and economic development as a result of remarkable transformation which is underway.“We all are proud of our accomplishments as a nation over a period of last 70 years” the Ambassador added. Ambassador Chaudhry informed the gathering that Pakistan has turned the corner in the fight against terrorism and markedly improved security situation in the country has resulted in fast-paced economic growth.This situation has led to boosting the confidence of investors from all over the world as today’s Pakistan offers the most investor friendly climate.The ambassador further added that with China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and all the other connectivity projects in Pakistan nearing completion, we are confident to achieving the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for making Pakistan a ‘‘pivot of the world”. The ambassador urged Pakistani American community, particularly the second generation young Pakistanis to play their role in the mainstream American polity with more vigour and strength.Commenting on Annual Pakistan festival, Ambassador Chaudhry said that the Pakistan Festival USA has become an annual fixture in the past 30 years and is rightfully acknowledged as a leading South Asian Festival in the United States.The festival was attended by Chairman of Republican Committee for Fairfax Matt Ames and Vice Chairman Lolita Smoak.Representative of Pakistani community in the ruling Republican Party Asad Chaudhry said Pakistani community plays an important role in US politics and it will continue to bridge the gap between the two countries. Senior leaders of Democratic Party also attended the event.