Day after Rex Tillerson's rap, China backs Pakistan for ‘positive efforts in tackling terror’
, TNN|
Oct 27, 2017, 09.58 AM IST
A day after US secretary of state Rex Tillerson sent a stern message to Islamabad during his India visit, saying terror safe havens would not be tolerated, China backed its all-weather ally on Thursday and said the world must appreciate Pakistan's "positive efforts" at tackling terrorism.
"Pakistan has made positive efforts for counter-terrorism and made great sacrifices," spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry Geng Shuang said at the regular briefing. He said China "believes the international community should recognise the efforts made by Pakistan on counter-terrorism".
In response to Tillerson’s statement that several terrorist organisations were finding safe haven inside Pakistan, Geng said China "welcomed Pakistan and the US to conduct counter-terrorism cooperation based on mutual respect".
“China welcomes the US, India, Pakistan and all countries to develop friendly relations," he said, adding, “We hope and believe relations will be conducive to regional peace and stability.”
Recently, the Pakistani media had published a letter purportedly written by a Chinese official asking the interior ministry in Islamabad to enhance protection for Beijing’s envoys. The letter said that a separatist belonging to East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which is active in China's western region of Xinjiang, has sneaked into Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign ministry has not confirmed or denied the reports about the letter. But it is well known that China has been extremely worried about the safety of its citizens in Pakistan since two Chinese teachers were killed in the Balochistan province allegedly by IS terrorists last June.
"Pakistan has made positive efforts for counter-terrorism and made great sacrifices," spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry Geng Shuang said at the regular briefing. He said China "believes the international community should recognise the efforts made by Pakistan on counter-terrorism".
In response to Tillerson’s statement that several terrorist organisations were finding safe haven inside Pakistan, Geng said China "welcomed Pakistan and the US to conduct counter-terrorism cooperation based on mutual respect".
“China welcomes the US, India, Pakistan and all countries to develop friendly relations," he said, adding, “We hope and believe relations will be conducive to regional peace and stability.”
Recently, the Pakistani media had published a letter purportedly written by a Chinese official asking the interior ministry in Islamabad to enhance protection for Beijing’s envoys. The letter said that a separatist belonging to East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which is active in China's western region of Xinjiang, has sneaked into Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign ministry has not confirmed or denied the reports about the letter. But it is well known that China has been extremely worried about the safety of its citizens in Pakistan since two Chinese teachers were killed in the Balochistan province allegedly by IS terrorists last June.
(This article was originally published in The Times of India)
