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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhuanet) --Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been briefing the press, following the conclusion of President Xi's first overseas trips this year.
A series of fruitful visits by China's President in his first Asia tour of 2015.
According to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, President Xi's visit to Pakistan helped not only to consolidate the friendship between the two countries, but also to deepen pragmatic cooperation.
He said that both countries need to enhance strategic communication. This includes China's support for Pakistan to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and beefing up cooperation in Afghanistan, working towards a peace and reconciliation process in the country.
But, top of the agenda, is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC. The multi-billion dollar plan is a combination of transport and energy projects, as well as development on a deep-sea port, providing direct access to the Indian ocean.
Over 50 cooperation deals were signed between the two countries during President Xi's visit, as China and Pakistan work towards lifting bilateral trade to 20 billion US dollars in three years, up from the current 16 billion US dollars.
On Wednesday, President Xi delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the Asian-African summit in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta. He called for nations to carry forward the Bandung spirit of the first conference 60 years ago, and to promote Asia-Africa cooperation in today's world.
He also appealed to wealthy nations, urging their support for developing nations.
He said that China will take the lead in committing to the mission, offering trade benefits to those nations which have diplomatic ties with Beijing.
On Friday, leaders from across Asia and Africa gathered to celebrate the legacy of the Bandung conference held six decades ago.
Fast forward to 2015 and this year's Asian- African summit, which culminated with 77 countries making a renewed commitment to the principles of Bandung Conference, and the idea that Asia and Africa are better together.
(Source: CNTV.com)
