Sino-Pak partnership vital for regional peace

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Chinese delegation meets Zardari, Gilani
* President says strengthening ties with China key foreign policy principle

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for taking Sino-Pak bilateral trade, defence and commercial ties to new heights as the friendship between the two countries has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“Strengthening and enhancing cooperation with China in all fields is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy,” he said.

“Pakistan feels that China is a factor of stability in the region and together we would continue our common endeavours for building a better future for our peoples and promoting international peace, stability and prosperity,” the president said.

He expressed these views during a meeting with the Chinese delegation headed by General Liang Guanglie, the minister of defence, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Luo Zhaohui, Chinese ambassador in Pakistan was also present at the presidential meeting with the 11-member Chinese delegation.

The president, while referring to his previous four visits to China, said Pakistan was keen to learn from the Chinese economic and development miracle and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of defence, energy, industry, agriculture, communications and commerce and trade.

He said the current level of bilateral trade was much below the available potential and urged for jacking it up to $15 billion by 2011.

Meanwhile, the Chinese defence delegation held a separate meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House.

During the meeting, Gilani said Pakistan and China enjoyed “special” relations, which were “all weather and time-tested”.

He said over the years, the friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries had matured into a vibrant multi dimensional “strategic cooperative partnership”, which was of great importance for the peace and security of the region.

The prime minister stated that Pakistan highly valued Chinese support and cooperation. He specially mentioned Chinese assistance on various occasions, especially the budgetary support during the 2005 earthquake and for the IDPs.