Premier Li Keqiang met with Pakistani President Arif Alvi on March 17.

Premier Li said no matter how the international and regional situation changes, the friendship between China and Pakistan has remained unbreakable and rock-solid. China highly values the China-Pakistan relationship, and President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Alvi to plan the future development of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan gave a helping hand to China at the very beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in China. Currently, both countries are facing the challenges brought on by the epidemic, and China is willing to cope with it along with Pakistan by sharing experiences on epidemic prevention and control and offering medical supplies, the Premier said.

"We are willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan in various fields, such as speeding up major project construction progress, such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and industrial parks. China will also continue to help Pakistan in locust plague prevention and treatment," Premier Li said. "Thus, we are able to enhance the China-Pakistan cooperation in international and regional affairs and promote peace and prosperity for the two countries and the region."

Premier Li said that China's epidemic prevention is progressing with stable improvements, and the spread of COVID-19 has been brought basically under control. China is modifying prevention measures in accordance with the changing situation, accelerating all-around resumption of operation and production, and propelling economic and social development.

Against the backdrop of a global COVID-19 epidemic, China is willing to strengthen international cooperation and jointly safeguard global public health security, the Premier said.

Alvi said that his state visit to China amid the global epidemic battles demonstrates strong China-Pakistan ties. Pakistan stays a sworn friend of China and always stands by its side. The China-Pakistan cooperation embodies justice and generally acknowledged truth. And Pakistan is grateful for China's assistance in wiping out locusts.

China's far-reaching and efficient measures have seen positive results in COVID-19 prevention, which also contributes to the global battles. Pakistan is willing to draw experiences from China and jointly face the challenge. The bilateral cooperation will continue long-term development afterward, Alvi said.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of concern.

Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister, and He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the meeting.