China has never let us down, says Pervaiz

LAHORE: The friendship between Pakistan and China has endured because the two countries have always stood by each other, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Wednesday.

“China is not only a trusted friend but has also provided invaluable guidance to Pakistan on all important issues. The ties between the countries are based on a harmony of objectives and mutual respect,” Elahi said at a dinner he hosted in honour of Chinese Premier Win Jiabao, according to a government press release.

The chief minister said China has always upheld the universal principles of justice and equality and Pakistan has had unstinting Chinese support on the Kashmir issue. He said Sino-Pak friendship and cooperation encompasses defence, energy production, industrial infrastructure, space technology, tourism, medicine and engineering.

He said Lahore had always extended whole-hearted hospitality to Chinese leaders and other guests because the people of this city remembered how when Lahore was attacked 40 years ago, “friendship with China stood between Lahore and the enemy as the Great Wall of China”. He said China had always met the expectations of the people of Pakistan, who in turn had never disappointed their Chinese brethren. He said China has never had expansionist designs.

Elahi said Chinese products have flooded international markets, which was proof of the expertise and commitment of its people. China had made remarkable progress in manufacturing industries and so was a model for Pakistan.

He said that Punjab was also working for rapid industrial development and there was room for investment by Chinese entrepreneurs in various new projects.

The chief minister said his government’s main priority was education and noted with satisfaction that almost a million new students have enrolled in schools in the province.

He said answers to many of the challenges facing the modern world were available in ancient Chinese philosophy. He said the lesson of the 21st century was that force is not the solution to any problem. He said one of the major issues being confronted by today’s world is unjust occupation. Elahi concluded his speech by exhorting the audience to pledge “unflinching commitment” to Sino-Pak friendship. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-4-2005_pg7_12


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China lauds Pakistani peace efforts

By Rana Qaisar

ISLAMABAD: China on Wednesday supported Pakistan’s effort for durable peace and stability in the region and said it favoured peaceful settlement of all disputes in South Asia.

“China supports Pakistan’s initiatives for the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues with India including the Kashmir dispute,” Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said in his meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf.

The Chinese prime minister, who had arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a three-day official visit, praised President Musharraf’s endeavours to address the complex problem of terrorism and his emphasis on promoting long-term peace in the world.

Both the leaders observed that Sino-Pak relations had entered a new mutually beneficial and qualitative stage contributing to regional stability. They observed that several agreements and a treaty of friendship signed between the two countries would take their deep-rooted and time-tested relationship to new heights.

They also discussed regional and international issues and said they would continue to share and coordinate their views at political and diplomatic levels. “Pakistan and China enjoy long-term strategic ties which have been a factor of stability and progress in the region,” President Musharraf was quoted as saying.

He said relations between the two countries encompassing all spheres including political, economic defence and people to people contact were marked by a high degree of mutual trust and confidence. He described the signing of the friendship treaty between the two countries as a step forward from the historic declaration that he had signed with President Hu Jin Tao in Beijing in 2003.

The president referred to economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and said Chinese assistance in the construction of Gwadar deep sea port and other development projects was testimony to the Beijing’s commitment to region’s economic progress. President Musharraf said agreements signed between the two sides were not only important because of their number but they would also impart substance to the bilateral relations and set pace for future cooperation. Mr Jiabao thanked President Musharraf, the government and Pakistanis for their hospitality and warm reception accorded to him and his delegation. Later, the president hosted a luncheon reception in honour of the Chinese prime minister and his delegation.

Mr Jiabao and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr Surakiart Sathirathi held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the sidelines of the 4th Asian Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, APP reported.
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China wants to cooperate with Pakistan in nuclear power generation: Jiabao

* Aziz says Sino-Pak free trade agreements will boost economic ties

ISLAMABAD: China is ready to cooperate with Pakistan in generating nuclear power after the completion of the second phase of the Chashma Nuclear Power project, said Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Addressing the China-Pakistan Business Cooperation Conference on Wednesday, Mr Jiabao said China attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan in all fields. However, he said the economic and trade relations between both countries did not match their political and strategic relationship which needed to be enhanced rapidly.

The Chinese premier said China and Pakistan could realise the actual potential of their economic and trade relations by improving cooperation in joint ventures, hi-tech industry, telecom, development of the mining industry and manufacturing. He said China would like to invest in Pakistan in various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, which would help create more jobs for Pakistanis.

Mr Jiabao said that during his meeting with President Pervez Musharraf both sides had agreed to devise short and long-term plans to improve their economic and trade relations. He described the signing of 22 agreements between the two countries as historic and stressed the need for their immediate implementation to give fresh impetus to Sino-Pak relations. He hoped that implementation of the early harvest agreement between both countries would help enhance fruit, vegetable and rice exports to China which would result in the reduction of the trade deficit of Pakistan with China.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan’s privatisation programme offered highly profitable investment opportunities and there was great scope for cooperation in small and medium enterprises.

He said Pakistan had a lot to offer to Chinese investors in almost every sector, including engineering goods, IT and telecom, agriculture and agro-based industry, power generation, food and fruit processing and packaging, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, real estate development and construction.

Mr Aziz said bilateral trade between the two countries had substantially increased during the last year and Pakistan’s exports to China were $870 million during 2003-04, while imports from China increased to $1.3 billion. “The trade volume needs to be enhanced. We want to develop a close nexus between our economy and trade and the economy of western regions of China,” he said.

Mr Aziz said free trade agreements between the two countries would strengthen trade relations. He said there were no restrictions on remittance of profit, dividends, capital, royalty or fees and no government sanctions were required for most investments.

The prime minister said he would be laying foundation stones of five industrial units in the next week for which the whole machinery would be imported from China and also announced the establishment of a special industrial park for Chinese entrepreneurs, which would be run by Chinese businessmen. agencies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-4-2005_pg7_32


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