Pakistan, China sign 11 pacts

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Agreements to boost ties in trade, energy, agriculture, mining, industry, infrastructure, disaster relief and space technology
* Zardari offers ‘preferential treatment’ to Chinese investors

BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Wednesday signed 11 agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols to enhance bilateral co-operation in trade, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, mining, telecommunication, disaster relief and space technology.

In a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, President Asif Ali Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao saw the signing after an hour-long one-on-one interaction and two hours of delegation-level talks. The two presidents will issue a joint statement today (Thursday).

“The two leaders and their delegations had wide-ranging discussions in a cordial atmosphere characteristic of long-standing ties between the two countries,” Pakistan’s Ambassador in China Masood Khan told reporters after the signing of pacts.“The talks emphasised enhancing economic co-operation on strong footings in multiple dimensions,” he added.

Chinese investors: The president’s engagements on Wednesday also included detailed interaction with the heads and chief executives of major Chinese companies working in banking, steel, mineral, cement, and trade sectors.

Talking to over 200 top Chinese businessmen during a luncheon meeting at the State Guest House, Zardari offered ‘preferential treatment’ to Chinese investors in Pakistan, urging them to “take advantage of the country’s geo-strategic location”.

During the talks, President Hu Jintao congratulated President Zardari on his election and said he was confident that ties between the two countries would improve under his leadership.

He praised the Bhutto family’s contribution to the development of ties between Pakistan and China and said there were special relations between Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Chinese leaders Mao Zhe Dong and Zhou Enlai. A press release by China said the two leaders agreed on increasing trade and economic ties and accelerate the implementation of the Five Year Development Programme on Economic Cooperation.

Jintao condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to fight terror and said the war was in Pakistan’s interest. The two countries also signed a framework agreement to jointly establish a $300 million National Electronics Complex of Pakistan (NECOP). agencies

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