Reiterating its support to Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) platform, China has categorically announced that it does not want the forum to be politicised as some countries were pursuing their political agenda in a bid to blacklist Pakistan.
“China does not want the FATF to be politicised by any single country. There are some countries, which want to include Pakistan in the blacklist. We consider (them as having) political designs. That is something China is against. China stands for justice,” said Yao Wen, the deputy director-general for policy planning at the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs.
Speaking to a group of visiting Pakistani journalists yesterday, he said that China stands with Pakistan and would block any attempt to include Pakistan in the FATF blacklist.
“We made it clear to the United States and India that we cannot do it. It goes beyond the purpose of the FATF,” Yao said.
He added that the FATF was not meant to put any country in a blacklist; rather, it is intended to support a country to take action against terror financing.
Pakistan is effectively pursuing its National Action Plan and China encourages it to act against terrorists and strengthen its financial system.
“China will help [Pakistan] technically and politically to improve its system,” Yao added.
China would also help Pakistan build its capacity to handle issues related to terror financing.
Yao said that instead of pressuring it, FATF member countries should assist Pakistan to improve its system.
Besides China, a traditional ally of Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia also supported the country at the FATF meeting held earlier this month.
According to the 36-member FATF’s charter, the support of at least three countries is required to keep any state from being blacklisted.
At the meeting, the FATF expressed satisfaction over the initiatives taken by and progress shown by Pakistan in various areas.
On Pak-China ties, Yao said the bilateral relationship is at its best since Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Beijing thrice within a year, and had meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping four times.
He said that Prime Minister Khan’s latest visit to China was a productive one, during which he interacted with many heads of state.
Yao said that China and Pakistan are “all-weather” strategic partners, with close co-operation in multiple fields.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Chinese official said, is moving in right direction. “We are working closely on CPEC, and the issues of Kashmir and the FATF.”
He welcomed the establishment of the CPEC Authority (CPECA) by Pakistan, which would help expedite work on CPEC projects.
Responding to a question, the official said that China had serious concerns over the India’s move to revoke the autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir on August 5, which he said even challenges Chinese sovereignty and interests.
China, he said, had expressed its strong position against India’s action.
Yao said that China has a clear position that the Indian-administered Kashmir is a disputed territory, adding that China does not back the unilateral action taken by India.
“China is willing to play a constructive role for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue,” he said.
The official said during the last five years, many achievements had been made, with about 20 road infrastructure projects and power generation plants completed under the CPEC.
“Now we are working with the government of Pakistan on new projects,” he said.
Yao added that in the next phase of the CPEC, there would be focus on the establishment of special industrial zones, which would create job opportunities for local people, besides increasing exports, uplifting of social economic and eliminating poverty.
He said that China and Pakistan also has strong co-operation in area of defence.