Pakistan has “suggested” that China set up a “major industrial base” in Balochistan where the two countries “could co-produce and co-manufacture and also have an easy access to world markets.”

The “suggestion” was made by Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Nasser Janjua on Monday during his meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong , according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO).

Regional security and matters of mutual interest  were also discussed in the meeting, during which Janjua “acknowledged and appreciated” the role of the outgoing ambassador in consolidating friendly relations between Pakistan and China, the statement said.

“Ambassador Weidong said that the strength of the Pak-China relationship lies in people-to-people contact between the two sides. He also said the friendship had entered a ‘golden era,’” the statement said.

“Both sides agreed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project strengthening ties between the two countries. It was a dream that is now translating into a reality and there is a lot more yet to come, which both the countries can do together,” it read.

China supports a relationship based on mutual respect rather than one based on competition, confrontation and conflict “that upholds territorial integrity and favours cooperation and partnerships to create a win-win situation for all,” the statement said.

Janjua also appreciated China’s role in Afghanistan, with the two sides agreeing to “continue peace efforts in the country.”