Chinese President Calls For Connected South Asian Economy

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on South Asian nations to increase economic cooperation to ensure shared economic development and prosperity across the region. 



Addressing Pakistan's parliament on the second day of a high-profile visit to Islamabad, Xi said the attainment of "a peaceful South Asia" is a focal point of China's foreign policy and said the region's countries could gain mutual benefits from economic cooperation. 



"Economic development of South Asia is the joint destination of Pakistan and China," he told Pakistani lawmakers during a 30-minute long address.



Xi also threw his country's weight behind ongoing efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan after decades of conflict. 



"China fully supports the reconciliation process for peace in Afghanistan," he said, adding that China backed Pakistan's role in supporting the process.



"Pakistan and China are all-weather and trusted friends. Pakistan's security is China's own security. The two countries will jointly tackle security challenges head on," he said.



He also indicated that the 51 agreements, worth $46 billion, signed between China and Pakistan during his visit offered Pakistan the opportunity develop into an upcoming Asian economy. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Lahor