Chinese PM to visit Pakistan next month

GUANGZHOU: President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday vowed to further strengthen the Sino-Pak deep rooted multifaceted ties and strategic relationship through increased cooperation in diverse fields.

The two leaders, who met here on the sidelines of the 16th Asian Games being hosted by China, had a delegation level and later a half an hour long one-on-one meeting, with frank exchange of views on various issues of mutual interest including the bilateral relations, situation in the region and matters of international importance.

Chinese Premier Wen said he would be visiting Pakistan in December to “deepen strategic cooperation” and proposed establishing a mechanism for formal and structured dialogue at the ministerial level.

President Zardari welcomed the Chinese Premier and said the government and the people of Pakistan look forward to his visit. He said coming to China was like coming to his own home.

During the meeting, held in a very cordial atmosphere, there was unanimity of views on various issues of regional and international importance, with particular reference to peace and stability of region.

The Chinese Premier noted the role Pakistan was playing in countering the terrorists and said with increased cooperation the two countries would be in better position to counter terrorism.

Both the leaders also expressed their firm resolve to further strengthen their bilateral ties in economic, defence and energy sectors.

President Zardari noted that the two-way trade between the two countries had risen to around 7 billion dollars, up from the $ 2 billion in 2002, was still far below the trade potential of the two countries.

President Zardari said mega-projects like Gwadar, KKH, HMC and Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-electric Plant, were shining symbol of their friendship.

Briefing the journalists Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said President Asif Ali Zardari called for a currency swap agreement with China and taking full advantage of the Free Trade Agreement to take the bilateral trade between the two countries to 15 billion dollars soon.

The President said that the 14th session of JEC early next month in Islamabad was a great opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral economic relations for closer economic cooperation.

The President also stressed the need for enhancing connectivity by working together closely on developing pipelines, rail links and fibre optic link.

The Pakistan President also urged Chinese investment in water and energy projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Thar coal project in Sindh and called for the setting up of China-Pakistan Energy Corporation to institutionalize cooperation in the energy sector.

They noted that increased collaboration at the highest level between the two countries in the recent past has proved beneficial, with both Pakistan and China making steady progress in all spheres.

The Chinese Premier also announced beginning of the second installment of free commodity aid to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan from next week. The consignment of aid consists of diesel, coal and food commodities which will be supplied free by China as part of its aid to the flood victims in GB.

China has donated US $ 250 million for flood relief and reconstruction besides assistance to stranded people in upper Hunza Attabad Lake region. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan also accompanied the President to thank the government and the people of China.

President Zardari said Pakistan was looking forward to jointly celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic relations next year.

He said Pakistan-China friendship was a factor of peace and stability for the region and relations with China were of very special importance for the People’s Party government as it was the party’s founder Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Chairman Mao and Premier Zhu Enlai who laid the foundation of this friendship.

The President reiterated Pakistan’s full support to China on a host of issues including Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang and described Pakistan-China strategic cooperation vital for defending common interests and to counter forces of destabilization.

“China’s support for Pakistan’s stability and social development is a source of strength for us,” the President said.

President Zardari also thanked China for its steadfast support and solidarity with Pakistan and expressed appreciation for China’s assistance in the wake of devastating floods in Pakistan.

The Chinese Premier noted the frequent visits of President Zardari to China since assuming his office and said it reflected the close ties between the two countries.
He said President Zardari’s every visit has brought more friendship and ties between Pakistan and China continue to get strengthened.

President Zardari and Premier Wen also discussed the need for greater strategic and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Both sides noted that Pakistan and China enjoy an exemplary relationship with a high degree of mutual trust, understanding and convergence of views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Premier Wen also expressed sympathies of the people and government of China over the recent devastating floods in Pakistan which besides huge economic losses affected around 20 million people across the country.

President Zardari thanked the Chinese Premier for their assistance in cash and kind in the relief and recovery efforts of the Government of Pakistan.

He also apprised the Chinese leader of the challenges facing Pakistan in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase after the devastating floods, which owing to its magnitude and scale could not be coped by any country, single-handedly.

President Zardari sought the cooperation and assistance of China in the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed and damaged in the recent devastating floods in Pakistan.

Discussing the regional situation the President said Pakistan was committed to the peace process with India and desires to have friendly and good relations. “We sincerely wish to hold meaningful dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He said Pakistan was doing its best to help Afghanistan achieve peace and stability and suggested closer consultations between Pakistan and China on Afghanistan. President Zardari said Afghanistan-China-Pakistan can promote trilateral cooperation.

“We would welcome trans-regional cooperation involving economic project cooperation between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Chinese companies can use Pakistan as a logistical and transportation base for their investment in Afghanistan,” he added.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, Chairman BOI, Pakistan’s ambassador to China accompanied the President.

This is President Zardari’s sixth visit to China since he became President over two years ago and in keeping with the announcement made during his first visit to China in October 2008, to further promote economic ties between the two countries.

During the last two years both the countries have undertaken five dozen new initiatives and nearly forty MoUs signed. These include construction of hydro dams, transfer of hybrid technology, banking operations, roads and communication networks, cooperation in agriculture and development of high yield varieties of wheat and cotton, Thar Coal project and dredging of Tarbela reservoir.