Nong Rong, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, and Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javad Bajwa held a meeting where they discussed Afghanistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor among other issues. 

The meeting was held in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, and matters of mutual interests, progress on CPEC, and regional security situation including the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process were discussed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media division of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement. 

Bajwa thanked Nong for the provision of vaccines to Pakistan and the ceremony China had held in Beijing on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.  

Pakistan greatly values its friendly relations with its “iron brother” China, Bajwa was quoted as saying in the statement released by the ISPR. On the other hand, Rong acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts in bringing peace to Afghanistan. 

Importantly, China has been looking for increasing its influence in neighboring Afghanistan for the last few years. Although its investment in Afghanistan remained meager so far, it is likely to change in the future as the prospect of the Taliban return to Kabul grows. 

(SAM)