By Zahid Shah 

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday arrived in Pakistan to attend the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers meeting in Islamabad.

This is for the first time that China's top diplomat will participate in the Muslim bloc Council of Foreign Ministers meeting as a special guest. 

The analysts believed his participation in the 57 Muslim countries’ Foreign Ministers meeting as a major development in the current global political and security situation. 

Soon after arrival, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi warmly welcomed the visiting top Chinese diplomat at the foreign ministry and the two leaders also hold discussion over the current regional situation. 

Qureshi conveyed his heartfelt condolences to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the loss of precious lives in a crash of China Eastern flight today, adding that our hearts go out to the bereaved families of the victims of the tragic crash, said the foreign ministry in a statement. 

A China Eastern Airlines plane carrying 132 people crashed in the mountains in southern China on Monday.

According to Chinese authorities, 123 passengers and nine crew members were onboard. 

During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing situation in Ukraine and regional and international issues of mutual interest. Ways to further strengthen the iron-clad friendship between the two countries were discussed, its said.

Qureshi welcomed his counterpart's participation in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Affairs Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC-CFM) and attending the Pakistan Day Parade on 23rd March. 

He underlined that the two countries had always supported each other on their respective core interests, and at every critical juncture. 

“[During the recent visit of PM Khan to China] the leaders’ consensus and vision for all-round upgrading of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, especially in terms of high-quality development of CPEC Phase-II, was rapidly becoming a reality with concerted efforts and follow-up by both sides,” he added. 

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine and reiterated the need for a solution through sustained dialogue and diplomacy. 

Qureshi also briefed Wang on India’s egregious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and its irresponsible behavior that is an impediment to regional peace and security, its added. 

He also apprised about the so-called “accidental” firing of a missile from India into Pakistan’s territory and underlined Pakistan’s call for a joint probe, and stressed the need to ensure that it does not occur again. The Foreign Minister also emphasized that both countries must continue deeper engagement to promote peace, and stability in Afghanistan and avert the humanitarian crisis there, according to the ministry statement.

During the delegation-level talks, the two sides also signed an agreement on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificates and Degrees. 

While a memorandum of Understanding was signed between China International Development Cooperation Agency and Pakistan Ministry of Economic Affairs on the Project of China-Pakistan Joint Research Center (CPJRC) on Earth Sciences,

Islamabad and Beijing also signed Letter of Exchange (LOE）for Agricultural Equipment and Materials; Joint Agricultural Technology Laboratory Equipment and Materials; and for Agricultural Demonstration Station Equipment and Materials.