Chinese premier meets Pakistani president

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Pakistani President Arif Alvi held a meeting on Tuesday in Beijing, pledging to enhance cooperation in COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Pakistani President Arif Alvi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

After the outbreak of the epidemic, Pakistan, as an ironclad friend of China, quickly offered its aid to the Chinese people, Li said.

He said both countries are facing challenges of the epidemic at present, and China stands ready to share epidemic-control experience with and provide medical supplies to Pakistan.

Li said China's efforts to contain COVID-19 achieved a sustained and sound momentum as the spread of the novel coronavirus had been basically brought under control.

China is adjusting its prevention and control measures according to the latest situations, accelerating the process of a full resumption of work and production, and working to promote economic and social development, he said.

As the novel coronavirus is spreading in other parts of the world, China stands ready to enhance cooperation with the international community to jointly safeguard global public health security, Li said.

He added that China will work with Pakistan to advance the construction of key projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and industrial parks, assist Pakistan to tackle the plague of locusts, and enhance cooperation in international and regional affairs to promote peace and prosperity in the two countries and the region.

Alvi said his visit to China at this special time demonstrates the solidarity and friendship between the two peoples. Pakistan has always been China's closest friend, and has always stood along with China, he added.

He said the comprehensive and powerful measures China adopted to curb the epidemic had shown positive results, which was also an important contribution to the global fight against COVID-19.

Pakistan is ready to learn from China's experience and work with China to tackle the challenge, he said, expressing his belief that bilateral relations and cooperation will achieve further development after winning the battle against the epidemic.