Economy and defence: Pakistan and China vow to expand cooperation

[Naveed Yaseen]

SANYA (April 18 2009): President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday while expressing their resolve to further strengthen the bilateral ties in economic, defence and energy sectors agreed on more intense relations in jointly fighting terrorism.

President Zardari met the Chinese leader, soon after his arrival from Tokyo after successfully seeking pledges of over US $5 billion from international donors in aid, including US $1 billion each from the United States and Japan to help the country meet its economic difficulties and counter the threats from extremists and terrorists.

President Zardari and Premier Wen Jiabao discussed the whole range of strategic and economic co-operation between Pakistan and China besides matters relating to agriculture, power generation and finance. The two leaders also reviewed the progress on the Sino-Pak bilateral ties.

Premier Wen Jiabao said China remains committed to further its relations with Pakistan in all fields and would help Pakistan safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He was also appreciative to note that many countries contributed to the economic development in Pakistan at the Friends of Pakistan Forum in Tokyo.

Both the leaders were of the view that the two nations were opposed to terrorism and will continue to cooperate with each other to eliminate this threat, that was faced by all the countries.

The President discussed regional and global developments and said 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.

The President who is here to represent Pakistan at the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2009 said there was a need to translate the deep strategic partnership between Pakistan and China into a robust trade and investment relationship. He said the Boao Forum on Asia will further invigorate the relationship and the strategic ties between the two countries.

President Zardari during his three-day visit will be the keynote speaker at the plenary session of the BFA and will speak to the gathering of around a dozen world leaders on; `Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis'. He will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference.

Premier Wen Jiabao said it was high time to address the global economic crisis and find out a way to counter its impact on growing economies. He said Pakistan was an important member of the forum and was playing a key role in this regard.

The Chinese Premier also noted that it was President Zardari's third visit to China since assuming his office, and reflects the close ties between the two countries. He assured that the Chinese government will extend its full support to Pakistan in all spheres. He said Pakistan will play a key role in making the BFA a more effective organisation.

Minister of State for Information Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari later told reporters that both the leaders extended full co-operation of their respective countries to the other in all areas. "We have a deep-rooted friendship that has stood the test of time," the minister said.

He said the Chinese leader particularly appreciated the strong stance adopted by President Asif Ali Zardari against the terrorists, despite his personal tragedy, in which the Pakistani nation lost its beloved leader.

The minister said China too values its relationship with Pakistan and looks forward to its relations with the democratic government and would extend support to the ongoing development projects. The meeting also noted the progress on Neelum Jhelum hydel project and expansion of Karakoram Highway. He said there was wide scope of co-operation in hydropower projects.

Sumsam Bokhari said the warmth shown by both sides was reflective of the cordial relations between Pakistan and China. He said the two leaders were of the view that the recent high level exchange of visits have contributed to strengthening the multifaceted co-operative relationship between the two countries.

During the meeting the two leaders also noted that both Pakistan and China share similar views on important regional and global issues and will continue to extend support to the other at all levels. They also agreed on exploiting the full potential of the two business communities to boost their economy and trade.

The President, a great proponent of stronger Pak-China relations, apprised the Chinese leader of the progress made on various projects between the two countries. He said the current level of trade has touched US $7 billion and stressed that this has marginally increased and has not been affected by the global financial crisis.

President Zardari recalled the joint statement issued at the end of his visit to China in October last that focused on economic co-operation which is an integral part of the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two leaders were of the view that there was a need to translate the joint statement into practice.

It was the second meeting between the two leaders in six months since President Zardari assumed his office. President Zardari also had very productive meetings with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and top Chinese leaders in October last year and he also visited Hubei and Shanghai in February.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Sumsam Ali Shah Bokhari, Special Assistant to PM on Water Resources Kamal Majeedullah, Chairman Board of Investment Saleem H Mandviwala, Pakistan's ambassador to China Masood Khan and China's ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui attended the meeting.

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