Pakistan offers China access to warm waters

BEIJING (APP) - Pakistan and China Wednesday signed eleven agreements, MoUs and protocols to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology.

The signing ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao after an hour long one-on-one interaction between the two leaders and two-hour long delegation level talks.

The two presidents will issue a joint statement today (Thursday) reflecting their resolve and commitment to carry the bilateral relations and cooperation to new heights.

President Hu Jintao hosted a banquet in honour of President Zardari and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People after the delegations level parleys and agreements signing ceremony.  Earlier, both sides agreed to strengthen strategic partnership in all dimensions, reinvigorate the multi-faceted bilateral relations, intensify economic cooperation and foster people-to-people contacts in the coming years.

The two leaders and their delegations had wide-ranging discussions in a warm and friendly atmosphere characteristic of long-standing ties between the two countries, Pakistan’s Ambassador in China Masood Khan told the mediapersons after the signing ceremony.

During the talks, President Hu Jintao congratulated President Zardari on his election as President of Pakistan. He expressed confidence that the traditional brotherly relations between the two countries would be further beefed up under President Zardari’s leadership.

President Hu also thanked the people of Pakistan for their invaluable assistance in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit China’s Wenchuat province earlier this year.  

President Zardari offered his felicitations to the government and people of China on his tremendous success of the recently concluded Beijing Olympic games. He stated that the impressive manner in which the Olympic Games had been conducted underlined the giant strides made by the Chinese nation.

The President also congratulated his Chinese counterpart on the successful completion of the Shenzou VII Mission, terming it another milestone in China’s extraordinary scientific and technological advance.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growth of Pakistan-China relations, since the diplomatic ties were first established between the two countries.

They agreed that Pakistan-China friendship has truly stood the test of time and history and has emerged stronger with every important change in the international, regional and domestic environment.

President Hu described Pakistan as China’s brotherly country and time-tested friend, said a news release issued on the occasion. He noted in particular the fraternal ties that exist between the peoples of the two countries.