China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang

BEIJING: China affirmed its stance on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as its Foreign Ministry?s spokesperson Lu Kang on Friday said that Nawaz Sharif?s disqualification as prime minister would not affect the CPEC project.

On the Supreme Court of Pakistan?s verdict which disqualified Nawaz, Kang said that the ruling is Pakistan?s "internal affair" and would not affect bilateral ties between the two countries. 

?As a friendly neighbour, China hopes that all parties and sections in Pakistan can prioritize state and national interests, properly deal with their domestic affairs, maintain unity, stability, and keep focusing on the economic and social development,? the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Expressing the Chinese government?s stance after the apex court announced its verdict on the Panama case, Kang said, "We believe that the China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership will not be affected by the change of the situation inside Pakistan. China stands ready to work with Pakistan to continue jointly building the One Belt and One Road."

Disqualified by SC, Nawaz Sharif steps down as prime minister

Nawaz Sharif disqualified for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from UAE-based Capital FZE in his 2013 election nominations papers

The all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of times, Kang added.

On July 28, the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding office as prime minister over long-running corruption allegations -- a decision that ousted him from the premiership for the third time.

The ruling saw political uncertainty take hold in Pakistan once again, with Cabinet dissolved and the country left without a sitting prime minister.