Sino-Pak economic bonds to get firmer: Jiabao

LAHORE, Apr 7 (APP)- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday hoped that the 'economic bonds' between China and Pakistan would be more firmed and sustainable in the days to come.

"I hope that more industrial complexes like Haier Pakistan will come up in future," he said during his visit to Sino- Pak home appliances joint venture, Haier Pakistan, some 33 kilometres off here.

Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, Punjab Governor Lt. General (rtd) Khalid Maqbool, Minister in waiting, Mian Shamim Haider, senior officials and leading businessmen were present on this occasion.

Jiabao said there were strong geographical, political, economic and cultural bonds between these two great nations.

He said Haier is an excellent company of China, known for products characterized by good quality and innovation.

He urged the Chinese companies like Haier to not only meet the demand of Pakistani market but also expand their marketing activities to entire South Asia and even beyond.

Chinese Premier underscored the need of innovation in the manufacturing sector and urged Haier to bring innovative technologies to Pakistan, besides setting up Research and Development (R&D) facilities as a part of efforts to produce quality goods.

He said Pakistani people were known for their diligence and hardwork.

Jiabao thanked Pakistani people for showing a great level of hospitality during his visit to Pakistan. "I can never forget in my life the hospitality and love received from the people of Pakistan," he said.

Chinese Premier concluded his speech with the prayer, "Long live friendship between China and Pakistan."

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries was the new dimension of Sino-Pak economic relations. He referred to Haier Pakistan project as an example in this regard.

Prime Minister said the establishment of this project gave a feeling of privilege to Pakistan and added that Haier had been successful in a short span of time merely due to its quality goods.

On the occasion, he invited Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan making it a base for exports of their products to other countries.

Shaukat Aziz assured that all the required facilities would be provided to the Chinese companies investing in Pakistan.

He hoped that deep and strong relations between Pakistan and China would strengthen with time.

He said a rising China was a source of strength for Pakistan and added that Pakistan would like to rise with China.

http://www.app.com.pk/n14.htm


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Wen's Visit Opens New Chapter in Sino-Pak Relations

Pakistani major English language newspapers Thursday highly evaluated Premier Wen Jiabao's ongoing visit and the current bilateral ties, saying it opens a new chapter in the traditional and friendly Sino-Pak relations.

In a long editorial titled "A New Chapter in Relations," Pakistan's most widely circulated paper Dawn said even though friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China in economic and security matters are decades old, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighborly Relations takes their relationship to a higher stage.



It quoted Premier Wen Jiabao as saying that the treaty signed in Islamabad on Tuesday marks "a new stage in Sino-Pak friendship." Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz struck a similar note when he said the treaty "institutionalizes the broad-based and multi-faceted relationship" between the two countries.



From a modest beginning in 1955, when Mohammed Ali, then Pakistani prime minister, and the late Premier Zhou Enlai developed an understanding, the Sino-Pak relations have come a long way, said the paper.



It stressed that Pakistan and China present a model of meaningful friendship and cooperation to the world. Both have gained immensely from this relationship, and there is no doubt that the future will bring them even closer.



In an editorial titled "From 'Traditional Friend' to Partner," newspaper The News said the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighborly Relations concluded on Tuesday on the arrival of Premier Wen in Islamabad is sufficient to show how momentous the development is for the two countries: the two sides didn't wait until today to let the ceremony crown the landmark visit on its last day.



Not only do the agreements signed by the two sides deepen the Sino-Pak economic and military cooperation, their numerous other outcomes in the civilian field will range from energy development, agriculture and mineral development to such factors in the social sector as education and housing.



"It's time that the Pakistanis change their basic perception of China to more mature and realistic -- from its being a selfless 'traditional friend' to a useful strategic partner," said the paper.



The Nation, in its editorial, said as expected, the Chinese premier's visit has started off on a very encouraging note. Following Wen and Aziz's meeting on the first day of the three-day official tour, 22 agreements were signed to boost cooperation in defense, political relations, trade and economic areas.



The Islamabad-Beijing relationship is one of mutual dependence, with Pakistan providing real benefits. Their joint ventures in technology, like the just launched JF-17 Thunder aircraft project, are indeed a "giant step forward," said the paper.



President Pervez Musharraf, The Nation stressed, is justified in laying emphasis on taking ties with China to new highs. His assertion is true that this phenomenal friendship will lead to several benefits including acquisition of technology, self-reliance capability and enrichment of growth. Therefore, things are set to go from good to better.



(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)

http://www.china.org.cn/english/inte...nal/125033.htm



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Jiabao urges Pakistani and Chinese businessmen to join hands

LAHORE (April 08 2005): Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has asked the businessmen of Pakistan and China to join hands to capture more share in world markets. Addressing a function during his visit to the plant of the Haier company, a joint venture of Pakistani and Chinese investors, on Thursday, he said that high quality standards and competitiveness are essential for getting good economic results in present world markets. Pakistan and China could get better economic results by joining hands in various sectors, he added.

Wen Jiabao also urged Chinese companies to bring modern technology to Pakistan and more innovative products should be launched to get more market share in global markets.

The Chinese premier also called upon business community of Pakistan and China to further enhance bilateral co-operation, adding that they (businessmen of the two countries) must not be content with just getting success in Pakistani or other local markets. Efforts should be made to capture more and more market shares in the world market, Jiabao remarked.

He announced that a number of Chinese companies are coming to Pakistan with their investment plans, saying that increasing co-operation of businessmen of Pakistan and China will benefit both countries.

He was of the view that co-operation and friendship between Pakistan and China is based on geographical, cultural, political and economic bonds, saying that such relations between the two friendly countries will get stronger.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao along with his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz also visited the Haier factory on Raiwind Road. They remained in the factory for an hour, and visited various sections of the factory and got information regarding the output and quality standards of products.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaukat Aziz said that collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries was a new dimension of Sino-Pak economic relations and the Haier Pakistan project was an example in this regard.

He said a rising China was a source of strength for Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would like to rise with China.

Shaukat Aziz also said that the establishment of this project gave a feeling of privilege and pride to Pakistan. He invited Chinese companies to bring more investment in Pakistan, making this country a base for export of their products to other countries.

He also assured that all the required facilities would be provided to the Chinese companies bringing investment, expertise and technology in Pakistan.

Shaukat Aziz hoped that existing deep and strong relations between Pakistan and China would further strengthen with the passage of time.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ayub Khan, Group President of Ruba, a partner of Haier Group of Pakistan, said that the project of Haier was one of the best examples of Pak-China co-operation in business.

He said the market share of the Haier Group is increasing gradually because of its quality, competitive price and effective after sale service facilities.

He said the leasing facilities being offered by various banks in Pakistan have also helped increase the market share of Haier products, adding that Haier Pakistan has decided to start export of its products in near future.

Ayub Khan said that total investment of Haier Pakistan is around $30 million, and added that according to recent agreements an additional $50 million is being invested here in the near future. Now Haier has plans to diversify its products in Pakistan, he stated.

Talking to Business Recorder, Zhang Rui Min, CEO/Chairman, board of directors, Haier Group Co Ltd, said that he was happy that Haier Pakistan has become a success story.

He said the demand for electric home appliances in Pakistan is gradually increasing, and Haier is trying to meet consumers' growing demands. He also said that Haier has decided to enhance range of its products in view of the soaring demand.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2005


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