Pakistan, China to sign Twelve documents Tomorrow
BEIJING (China): Pakistan and China are expected to sign about 12 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding tomorrow, Monday further consolidating their multifaceted strategic partnership.
These documents will be signed, following the talks to be held between the Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Pervez Musharraf at the Great Hall of the People.
According to the informed sources, these documents will help boost bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
The main focus will be on economic side, broadening two-way
cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. The talks at the highest level will also pave way for undertaking mid- and long-term development projects in the areas like energy, communication, Science and Technology, telecommunication and agriculture.
Terming the President Musharraf's forthcoming visit to China as highly significant, a spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry said, it will lift their bilateral ties to a new stage. It would be his third
official visit to China as a President of Pakistan.
Perspective
Earlier, Pervez Musharraf visited Beijing in November, 2003, that
resulted in signing of an historical joint declaration, pushing forward their all-around cooperative relationship.
The Chinese leadership holds President Musharraf in high esteem and appreciates his vision of enlightened moderation.
China considers Pakistan a most true and reliable friend and looking forward for the success of the visit, further deepening understanding and cooperation in areas of common interests.
It has been consistent policy of the Chinese government to expand its friendship with Pakistan and adopt common position on various regional and international issues, the sources said adding, China appreciates Pakistan's peace initiatives, normalizing its relations with India, hoping the peace in the region will bring prosperity to both the countries.
Commenting on their time-tested cooperation in the defence sector, sources said, it has been a source of peace and stability in the region and kept growing with a passage of time to meet their security needs.
Lauds Pakistan’s Non-proliferation Efforts
China appreciates the vigorous nuclear non-proliferation efforts made by the government of Pakistan in recent years, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
He said China and Pakistan will continue work together promoting
non-proliferation. His country, he said always stood for the
comprehensive prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction and firmly opposed proliferation of such weapons and their means of delivery.
“To promote general improvement and more democracy in international relations and bring about fair and equitable solution to regional security issues will facilitate smooth progress in international non-proliferation endeavors,” he added.
Li Zhaoxing said the two countries share similar or common position on counter-terrorism issue and enjoyed fruitful cooperation in the area. He pointed out that they have signed the Extradition Treaty and Cooperation Agreement on combating separatism, extremism and terrorism.
The competent government departments of the two countries have set up a mechanism for security and counter-terrorism consultation, he added.
The Minister said, his country will step up cooperation with Pakistan so as to maintain security in both countries and in the region. “We appreciate Pakistani government’s position on counter-terrorism and extremism,” he added.
Great Importance to Musharraf’s Visit
About President Pervez Musharraf’s State visit to China beginning
today, Sunday, he hoped it will lift their bilateral ties to a new stage, bringing the two countries more closer to each other in all fields of common interests.
Dispelling the impression that the Wednesday’s terrorist act in which three Chinese engineers were killed, could affect their strong bond of friendship, he said, their deep-rooted relations as traditional allies in the region will continue to grow. “We in China are ready to work with Pakistan to open up new horizons in their bilateral relations,” he added.
Chinese leadership, he said attached great importance to Musharraf’s visit and hoped it would reinforce their strategic partnership to meet the common aspirations of their people.
Li Zhaoxing during the interview that covered entire spectrum of
bilateral relationship termed the Sino-Pak relationship as a model of harmonious co-existence of countries with different social system and cultural background.
About the economic cooperation, the Foreign Minister said their trade has been growing over 20 percent annually during the last five years and the trade volume exceeded $4 billion in 2005. He assured Pakistan will remain one of China’s key markets for contracted projects. The Chinese government will encourage its leading companies to actively take part in the economic development of Pakistan.
Free Trade Agreement
He said the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations are going well. The establishment of FTA will have profound impact on
China-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation. He emphasized that the two sides should promote the FTA after its establishment and encourage their trade agencies as well as exporters to take part in or hold trade exhibitions and fairs in each other’s country.
Li was of the view that their economic cooperation and trade is highly complementary and have great potential for growth. He expressed his confidence that their trading and economic ties will steadily move forward to serve their mutual benefits.
While pledging to maintain coordination with Pakistan on regional and international affairs, the Minister said his country supports
Pakistan’s playing an important role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an observer and its participation in ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and other regional cooperation process.
Li Zhaoxing assured that China will fully implement the Joint
Declaration on direction of bilateral cooperation announced by the two heads of States in November, 2003 and the Treaty of friendship signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz in April last year.•
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