China lauds Pakistani efforts to promote security

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday praised Pakistan's government and relevant parties for their efforts to improve the country's security situation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing that China has always supported Pakistan in developing and implementing counter-terrorism and security strategies based on Pakistan's national conditions. China sincerely hopes Pakistan will maintain social stability and economic development, he said. On Monday, a conference of Pakistan's ruling and opposition parties, convened by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, unanimously asked the government to hold dialogue with armed Taliban militants to end the bloodshed in the country.