China, Pakistan bank on economic growth for strengthened alliance

India
China, Pakistan bank on economic growth for strengthened alliance
By DPA, Nov 24, 2006 - 10:07:10 PM

Islamabad, Nov 24 - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Islamabad Friday where they stressed on economic growth as a guarantee for their strategic alliance.

Following the talks, Musharraf said that with the 21st century emerging as 'the century of geo-economics,' boosting trade and investment would cement Pakistan's 'long-lasting, all-weather, time-tested friendship' with the Asian giant.

The two sides achieved 'unanimity of views on all issues,' he said at a joint press briefing with the Chinese president, who arrived from India Thursday on a four-day visit.

Hu in turn expressed satisfaction with the meeting, the first to take place in Pakistan between leaders of the countries in 10 years.

'China will continue to view its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective and we are ready to work together with Pakistan to raise our partnership to a new level,' he said.

A total of 18 agreements were signed, covering economic relations and trade, telecommunications, infrastructure, energy, science and technology, culture and defence - a key area of cooperation over the years.

China is a main supplier of conventional weapons to Pakistan, and the Pakistani air force on Friday reached an understanding with Chinese aviation representatives on extensive cooperation in manufacturing of aircraft, including AWACS early warning and control plane. The countries are already jointly developing the JF-17 fighter.

The sides also signed a free trade agreement and a Chinese investment package worth up to $5 billion. While bilateral trade currently totals only about $4 billion dollars a year, the measures are hoped to boost the figure to around $15 billion within five years.

The Chinese leader is expected to have reassured Musharraf that close and longstanding bilateral ties will not be compromised by Beijing's emerging partnership with New Delhi in trade and nuclear technology.

China and Pakistan were 'good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers,' Hu said ahead of the talks. He was later due to address the Pakistani people in a live television broadcast, the first foreign leader to do so since US President Bill Clinton in 2000.

After unveiling broad plans with the Indian leadership this week to promote bilateral civilian nuclear cooperation and double trade to $40 billion by 2010, Hu stressed earlier that China did not seek any 'selfish gains' in South Asia and was ready to facilitate peace moves between India and Pakistan.

Musharraf made use of Friday's meeting to reaffirm his country's commitment to defusing tensions with India, especially over Kashmir, and ushering in a 'new era of peace and prosperity for South Asia'.

'There is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is a sincerity in the leadership of both sides to resolve this dispute,' he said.

Nuclear issues also featured in the discussions. Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on cooperation in civilian nuclear power generation.

Without giving details, Hu said the countries would continue to work together in that area.

Reports have circulated that China will build six more nuclear power plants for Pakistan in addition to one already in service and another in construction. But Pakistani government officials have dismissed the reports as speculative.

Before Hu's departure on Sunday, he planned to travel to Lahore, Pakistan's cultural centre.

But security concerns will likely prevent a visit to Gwadar in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province, where a strategic port is being built with Chinese assistance.

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