Pakistan, China in talks about security issues Chinese nationals face

Pakistan and China are in discussions about the security threats that Chinese nationals face in the South Asian country, Pakistan's ambassador to China said on Wednesday.

Both countries are working closely in terms of information sharing and developing standard operating procedures, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi told reporters at the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China's Hainan province.

At least nine Chinese nationals were killed in coordinated attacks across Pakistan last year.

In October, two Chinese nationals were killed in an attack at the Karachi airport.

The attacks were carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan.

Beijing has since urged Islamabad to conduct a thorough investigation, punish the perpetrators severely, and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects in the country.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing in late February, reaffirming their commitment enhancing security and counterterrorism cooperation.

Pakistan is an important partner for Beijing's flagship multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The initiative aims to establish a network of roads and railways to boost trade and connectivity.

China and Pakistan boast of “iron brother” relations and have maintained close cooperation over decades.