Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read | 13:50 pm CAT

 (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)

On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin called out the US for “passing unwarranted criticism against Pakistan-China cooperation” and urged it to do something “real and beneficial” for the people of Pakistan.

His statement comes a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Pakistan to seek debt relief from close partner China given the floods.

In a weekly briefing today, Wang said that since the floods hit the country, China has rushed to Pakistan’s aid as it was a “genuine friend and brother in times of need”.

“The Chinese government has provided 400 million RMB worth of humanitarian assistance, and China’s civil society has also lent a helping hand.

“We will continue to do our utmost to help the Pakistani people overcome the floods and rebuild their homes at an early date,” he said.

“China and Pakistan have had fruitful economic and financial cooperation. The Pakistani people know it best. Instead of passing unwarranted criticism against China-Pakistan cooperation, the US side might as well do something real and beneficial for the people of Pakistan,” the spokesperson added.

Blinken promised strong US support for Pakistan as it dries out from the floods, which have submerged one-third of the country, an area the size of the United Kingdom.

“We send a simple message. We are here for Pakistan, just as we were during past natural disasters, looking ahead to rebuild,” Blinken said after talks in Washington with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

“I also urged our colleagues to engage China on some of the important issues of debt relief and restructuring so that Pakistan can more quickly recover from the floods,” Blinken said.

Source: AFP