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China's PM asks Nawaz Sharif to improve security situation in Pakistan, protect our personnel

At the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session, China's Prime Minister Li met Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, reminded him of its firm support for the country and asked them to protect Chinese personnel. China's Premier Li Keqiang has told Nawaz Sharif to "enhance security risk prevention" in Pakistan and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel there, amid renewed concerns in China over its on-going economic corridor plan.

Meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session, Li also said China has "always firmly supported Pakistan" and their friendship is "unbreakable" - a sentiment routinely expressed by the leaders of the "all-weather" allies.


In an official statement on the meeting between Li and Sharif, the Xinhua news agency quoted the Chinese Premier as expressing" the hope that the Pakistani side could enhance security risk prevention and take measures to guarantee the safety of the Chinese project staff."

In recent meetings, Li has publicly voiced fears over the security situation in Pakistan. A number of top Pakistani officials, including Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, have recently visited China to assuage Beijing's concerns.

While Li noted the China Pakistan Economic Corridor plan had "made positive progress", he also "urged the two sides to carry out the planned construction of the corridor, accelerate the building of the Gwadar Port as well as its supporting facility, and bring more companies into industrial parks."


His comments came as China expressed concern over the terror attack in Uri, and reiterated its worries over "strained relations between India and Pakistan over this". The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday repeated Monday's call for both parties "to step up communication and dialogue".

Last week, a Chinese State run daily expressed concerns over the project, telling Beijing to "not put all eggs in one basket" and instead invest more in Southeast Asian countries.

Chinese companies have expressed fears over their safety and the security situation in PoK, through which the corridor passes, and also in Balochistan, where the Gwadar port project is being built.

Following the Uri attack, China has appeared to mount a careful balancing act, saying it was "shocked" by the violence and "condemned terrorism in all forms". Beijing also called on India and Pakistan to resolve their issues through dialogue.



