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BEIJING - Telling America to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty, China Wednesday offered Islamabad ‘anything’ it needs to make defence impregnable and revive economy. This fresh approach would add new dimensions to the already time-tested brotherly bonds between the two brotherly countries in this region. This determination of Chinese leadership was fully demonstrated at the Great Hall of the People where Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was received by his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. Following the reception ceremonies, they rushed for formal talks. Wednesday’s discussions were held in three rounds. Firstly, Mr Gilani held 30 minutes one-on-one meeting with Mr Wen Jiabao followed by the respective delegations meeting for over an hour. In the third round, Mr Jiabao met members of the PM’s entourage that lasted for 35 minutes. Mr Wen Jiabao assured his Pakistani counterpart of China’s “all-weather friendship”.
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| Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao with his Pakistani Counterpart in Beijing |
“I wish to stress here that no matter what changes might take place in the international landscape, China and Pakistan will remain forever good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers”, Wen said. “I do believe that this visit will give a strong boost to the friendship and cooperation between our two countries and take that friendship and cooperation to a new high”.
The Chinese PM noted the role Pakistan was playing in countering terrorists and said that the international community should not forget the huge sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the global campaign against terrorism and extremism. After the talks concluded, an upbeat Mr Gilani held a briefing session with accompanying Pakistani journalists at the State Guest House. He said the Chinese conveyed a clear message to the USZ that:
“There should be no harm to the Pakistani sovereignty and the USZ should understand and appreciate concerns of Pakistan”. “China supported Pakistan’s cause on its own”, he said, adding: China has asked the USZ to work with Pakistan in improving their bilateral relations in view of the present scenario. He said Pakistan and China would also continue consultations on the United Nations reforms agenda. “We have decided to put on fast pace the five-year development programme between china and Pakistan while final phase of negotiation on Free Trade Agreement would soon be started. The two sides would also work for a long-term nuclear cooperation agreement”.
A senior member of the Chinese delegation later informed Pakistan's Daily TheNation that Beijing would support whatever stance and strategy Pakistan would formulate to protect its national interests. As per him, China has also pledged to fasten the pace to fulfil its commitments in term of economic assistance, defence equipment, including the next batch of 50 F-17 Thunder aircraft. Pakistan Air Force already had a batch of 40 of them and they are essential part of Pakistani defences. The experts from two sides would meet with regular intervals and explore news areas of cooperation to make these ties models for others, the Chinese official said. Pakistan and China also inked three agreements on banking, economic and technical cooperation and extension of gold and copper extraction from the Saindak mines.
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Saindak Copper and Gold mine, Balochistan |
China also offered a 70 million RMB grant for flood reconstruction and a 100 million RMB soft term loan to Pakistan. Beijing has also decided to send officials of the procurement commission to place orders for Pakistani goods. A list of 286 items had already been handed over to China by Export Promotion Bureau. Three agreements were also signed Tuesday at a ceremony held at the Eastern Hall in presence of the two prime ministers. The two sides also agreed to continue close consultations on the developments in Afghanistan and resolved that Afghan people should be allowed to decide their future.
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