Wagah bombing: China calls for joint efforts to fight terror

Condemning the suicide bombing at the Wagah border crossing in Pakistan, China today called for joint efforts to fight terrorism, while pledging stronger ties with its "all-weather strategic partner".

"China strongly condemns the suicide bombing," Chairman of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), Zhang Dejiang told Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, Rashad Mahmood, while pledging stronger ties with Islamabad.

Zhang also called for joint efforts to fight terrorism, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Rashad said the Pakistan-China friendship is a cornerstone of his country's foreign policy, vowing to back China's efforts to combat militants such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which is blamed for various terrorist attacks in China's restive Xinjiang province. ETIM militants are reported to have bases in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Calling the two countries "all-weather strategic partners," Zhang said beefing up China-Pakistan cooperation and upgrading bilateral ties are part of the consensus reached by both leaders, Xinhua reported.

He asked various departments of both countries, including legislatures and armed forces, to implement the consensus of both leaders, aid the construction of major cooperation projects, enhance trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Sixty-one people were killed and 200 others injured in the attack yesterday at the India-Pakistan border.

Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed shock over the incident.

China is opposed to all forms of terrorism, she said.

She extended condolences to the victims and sympathies to their families and the injured.

"China will continue to support the Pakistani government and its people's unremitting effort to safeguard national security and stability," she said.