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Pak, China to bolster
defence, energy and trade ties
Hu calls Musharraf an old friend; Qureshi for off-setting trade
imbalance between two countries
Sanya—President Pervez Musharraf and his Chinese counterpart Hu
Jintao Friday vowed to enhance cooperation in defence, energy and
trade, and hoped that these would be further strengthened with the
coming into power of a new government in Pakistan.
The two rounds of talks here at southernmost city of Sanya covered a
wide range of issues including cooperation against extremism and
terrorism.
President Hu Jintao reiterated that his country would always support
Pakistan in whatever manner necessary in defence or its security, to
assure social progress and to support economic development in
Pakistan.
The two sides particularly focused on strategic Pak-China bilateral
relations, agreed to introduce more projects to benefit Pakistan’s
economy and assure the well being of the people of Pakistan, under
the joint five-year economic plan.
President Hu Jintao described ties with Pakistan as “high priority
relationship” and noted that over the years, substantial
improvements had been made in Sino-Pak ties, Foreign Minister Shah
Mehmood Qureshi told reporters after the meetings.
Foreign Minister said Pakistan pointed at the acute energy shortage
due to its rapidly growing economy and sought China’s expert
assistance and discussed cooperation in nuclear energy.
Pakistan already has a 300 MW Chashma power plant, built with
Chinese assistance, while work is underway on Chashma-II. Pakistan
is seeking future 1000 MW projects to offset its energy crisis.
Both the countries also identified several new areas, where they can
extend cooperation through the already existing mechanism.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has touched US 6.8 billion
dollars. Pakistan and China signed a free trade pact in 2006 and
hope to raise two-way trade to $15 billion much before the
stipulated time.
The Foreign Minister said there was a need for adopting “corrective
mechanism” to offset the trade imbalance between Pakistan and China.
He said a purchase mission from China has already visited Pakistan,
while another will visit soon, to identify the Pakistani products
that can find a home in China.
Qureshi said the two countries have agreed to have a five-year trade
and economic development plan and the projects falling in this
category will be able to get concessional credit.
The foreign minister said the Chinese President Hu Jintao has
assured to urge the Chinese investors to identify projects under the
Pakistan-China Joint Investment Company that has been working since
2007.
Both the sides noting their very comprehensive trade and economic
partnership also agreed to push trade further and make the Free
Trade Agreement more comprehensive by including trade and services.
Pakistan proposed that the two countries may improve connectivity,
utilizing the existing Karakoram Highway, by adding fibre optic
line, an oil and gas pipeline and a rail track linking it with
Gwadar, making it the ninth wonder of the world.
Pakistan and China also expressed satisfaction over the ongoing
defence cooperation, specially in terms of joint productions like
the JF-17 Thunder and the F22P frigates.
The two sides described the meetings as “very good and positive”,
exhibiting commonality of views on major regional and international
issues, with total understanding.
“China considers Pakistan as a close neighbour, a good friend, and
partner and more importantly as a good brother,” President Hu Jintao
said.
Pakistan also extended its full support to China on the Beijing
Olympics and regretted the attempts being made to tarnish China’s
image. He assured of the peaceful holding of torch relay in
Islamabad this month.
Following the round of formal talks, the two leaders also witnessed
signing of two Memorandums of Understanding and an agreement.
These included an MoU between the Ministries of Water and Power of
the two countries to extend cooperation in managing water resources
and hydel power, another on cooperation in sports and culture and
the third for cooperation in the area of engineering, sciences and
technology.
Under the agreement a consortium of Chinese universities will help
setup a modern international level university in Islamabad.
President Musharraf and President Hu Jintao had over half an hour
long restricted meeting, accompanied by the ministers of Foreign
Affairs and Defence. Later the two sides went in for
delegation-level talks that reflected convergence of views on
regional and global issues.
Pakistan also reiterated its support to the One-China policy.
President Musharraf in his initial remarks termed Pak-China
relations as “time-tested and broad-based” and added that these have
permeated down to the people’s level.
The Chinese President described President Musharraf as an old
friend, who has visited China eight times in as many years and said
it was a manifestation of the strategic partnership between the two
countries.
President Musharraf thanked President Hu Jintao for the cordiality
and warmth extended to him by the Chinese leadership.
Earlier President Musharraf, who arrived here Thursday night, was
presented an impressive formal welcome ceremony at the picturesque
Sanya city, in the Hainan province.
With the backdrop of Yalong Bay on the South China Sea, a smart
contingent of the Peoples Liberation Army, comprising the three
services presented him a salute. The President reviewed the guard of
honour.
President Hu Jintao received President Musharraf and national
anthems of the two countries were played.
Ministers for Defence Ch Ahmed Mukhtar, Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood
Qureshi Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Atta ur Rehman,
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Muhammad Akram Sheikh and
Chairman Trade Development Authority of Pakistan assisted the
President during the talks.
Pakistan was the first Islamic country to recognise People’s
Republic of China on January 4, 1950. Diplomatic relations were
established between the two countries on May 21, 1951.—APP
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