Pakistan and China on Tuesday held the Second Maritime Cooperation Dialogue in Islamabad and agreed to enhance cooperation in the Maritime domain between the two countries, officials said.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) while the Chinese side was headed by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister (Asia and Consular Affairs), the Foreign Ministry said.

Representatives from various government departments of the two sides also attended the Dialogue and reviewed overall Maritime situation in the region, security of Sea Lines of Communication, anti-piracy cooperation, rescue and relief operations, maritime science and technology cooperation and exchanges between the two navies.

Later, Assistant Minister Kong called on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz and discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues.

The Adviser appreciated the deep rooted friendship that exists between the two countries. Lauding the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, the Adviser stressed the need for greater Maritime cooperation between the two countries.

Assistant Minister Kong expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral Maritime Cooperation Dialogue, adding that many new proposals have been shared by both the sides which would further promote cooperation between the two countries, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved since the first round of Dialogue held in Beijing on July 8, 2014. Enditem