China on Thursday said it stands ready to work with the new establishment in Pakistan, as Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf inched closer to victory.
Beijing also said it was glad to see "smooth elections" in Pakistan and hoped the results will not affect the development of bilateral ties.
China has high stakes in Pakistan where it has invested over $50 billion on a multitude of infrastructure projects under its ambitious Belt and Road programme. It is also the bone of contention between India and China since the Silk Road initiative, as it is otherwise known, threatens to weaken India's border security against China.
Speaking in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said:
We are glad to see the election in Pakistan went through smoothly. We sincerely hope the country can maintain political social stability and focus on development.
The friendship between China and Pakistan is supported by the two people and the bilateral ties will grow, regardless of the election result, he said.
China stands ready to work with the new government in Pakistan to move forward all-weather strategic partnership.
China calls Pakistan its all-weather ally and defends the country on terror, which frustrates India.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf inches closer to victory in Pakistan's 2018 general elections with Imran Khan already being celebrated as the new prime minister.
