China to Buy a Fleet of Russian Bombers to Take On The US Navy

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Chinese websites are again reporting that Russia has agreed to sell Beijing the production line for the Tupolev Tu-22M3 bomber at a cost of $1.5 billion.

Once in service with the Chinese Naval Air Forces the Tu-22M3 will be known as the “H-10″.

The deal struck with Russia includes 36 aircraft: a batch of 12 followed by a second batch of 24 additional bombers.

The Tu-22 will be employed in the maritime attack role and used to attack targets from low levels to avoid radar detection.

The Tu-22 is a Soviet supersonic, swing-wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber.

It was developed during the Cold War and is among the closest things to a modern stealth bomber.

However, it will get updated with indigenous systems and an extended range making it a significant threat to many latest generations weapon systems.

That’s even more true if the deal with Russia includes the Raduga Kh-22 (AS-4 ‘Kitchen’) long-range anti-ship missile, in which case this could be a significant change in the strategic balance of the region.

The Tu-22 bombers will give China another tool to pursue the area denial strategy in the South China Sea and the Pacific theatre; a fast platform to launch cruise missiles, conventional or nuclear weapons in various regional war scenarios.

In other words, a brand new threat to the U.S. Navy in the region.

 The Aviationist

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Pakistan Air Force Wins Coveted Award in China

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Pakistan and China have jointly won a coveted Award in Zhuhai for the close cooperation in the promotion of Aviation Industry, a day before start of the bi-annual International Air show.

The “Airspace Laureate 2012 Awards” was jointly received by Chief Project Director of JF-17 Program Air Vice-Marshal Javed Ahmed, who is in Zhuhai with Pakistan Air Force contingent taking part in the international air show and from Chinese side Mr.Li Pei, Chief Project Director of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) in the presence of a large number of guests.

"This is a big achievement and acknowledgement for Pakistan and China for cooperation in their joint effort for the promotion of aviation industry”, remarked Group Captain Tariq Mahmod, Director Media, Pakistan Air Force whiletalking to APP.

 

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Pakistan, China sign Military Cooperation Paper

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RAWALPINDI - A high-powered delegation led by General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff of China’s People Liberation Army (PLA), on Tuesday visited Joint Staff Headquarters Chaklala and signed a document concerning mutual military cooperation. General Ma Xiaotian called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and discussed matters related to the ongoing mutual cooperation between the two Armed Forces. According to ISPR here, the visit of Chinese delegation commences the start of 9th Round of Pak-China Defence and Security Talks, which dilate upon the defence and security relations between the two countries. General Ma Xiaotian appreciated the role played by the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan specially the efforts in fighting terrorism.

He reiterated that the cooperation in different fields between the two Armed Forces will continue with a renewed resolve and commitment towards each other. A document concerning mutual military cooperation was also signed by the two sides. General Ma Xiaotian also met Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Meanwhie, the six-member Chinese delegation, led by  General Ma Xiaotian, called on Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Prime Minister's House and discussed with him matters of bilateral interests. The prime minister said: “We are proud of our excellent relations with China with whom we have a strategic partnership. Our cooperation with China on regional and international fora is exemplary.”

Pakistan attaches a great importance to its relationship with China, said Raja, adding that Islamabad is grateful to Beijing for its assistance in development projects. The prime minister also expressed his government’s resolve to stamp out terrorism. Raja said: "Parliamentary democracy is taking roots in the country.” About his recent visit to China, the prime minister said that he held talks with his Chinese counterpart at Tianjin where he participated in the World Economic Forum. He thanked the Chinese premier for expediting dispatch of equipment and machinery for work on the Attabad lake and widening of Karakorum Highway. The equipment and machinery had reached Pakistan, he added.

General Ma conveyed greetings and best wishes of his prime minister to Raja. He said: "The Sino-Pak friendship is of strategic significance and this relationship will deepen.” The Chinese general said the Pakistan-China relations are unique in nature though the two states had different history, culture and ideology. "Our strategic relationship is consistent with our need for socio-economic development. Our friendly relations with Pakistan are backed by our social economic and cultural cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education and health.” The general thanked Pakistan for its unflinching support to China on all international fora and assured of China's continued support to Pakistan.

He informed the prime minister about his discussions with Pakistani military leadership and expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between the two armed forces. This cooperation, he said, included high level exchanges, training programmes and information sharing, he added. Referring to the Pakistan efforts against terrorism, he said Pakistan had made enormous sacrifices and its contribution deserved recognition by international community. The general expressed the confidence that Pakistan would overcome this problem.

The prime minister said that Pakistan respects China's territorial integrity. He expressed confidence that the present visit of Chinese military delegation would further enhance the existing relations between two countries and cooperation in all areas. He asked the general to convey his best wishes to his Chinese counterpart.  The Chinese general was accompanied by Liu Jian, Ambassador of China, and other senior officers. General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, and senior officials were also present.

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Nuclear cooperation with Pakistan: China rejects western pressure

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China has rejected US and western pressure for cooperation with Pakistan in neuclear field.

The USZ and several western countries have expressed reservations on Pak-China cooperation in the nuclear field during Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting.

The meeting was held in Setal, USZ on June 21-22.The western countries have raised several questions on construction of two new nuclear reactors at Chasma Power Plant in Pakistan with collaboration of China. However, China rejected all their concerns and refused to provide any information in this regard.

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Pakistan, China sign 3 MoUs for Joint Development Projects in Pakistan

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BEIJING: Pakistan and China Wednesday signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering supply of water from Tarbela to Islamabad, establishment of Special Economic Zone in the proposed new city Zulfikarabad in Sindh and the building of 6,000 flats in I-15 sector on private-public partnership basis, and an agreement for the de-silting of canals and barrages in Sindh province. The MoUs were signed by respective officials from the two sides. The agreement on de-silting canals in Sindh was signed by Saleem Mandviwala, Chairman Board of Investment, with the President of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.

The MoU for the establishment of Zulfikarabad Special Economic Zone was signed by Managing Director Zulfikarabad Development Authority Lt Gen (R) Iftikhar Hussain Shah and Yang Yong, Chairman of the Sichuan Huantong Holding Investment Limited. The MoU for water supply to Islamabad from Tarbela was signed by Farkhand Iqbal, Chairman Capital Development Authority, and Zhang Chun, President of China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC), the former also signed another MoU for building 6000 flats and developing Sector I-15 in Islamabad with another Chinese company CRFG (China Railway First Group). With the signing of the memorandums and agreement today, a fresh impetus has been provided to further strengthening the economic engagement between the two countries.

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“China will Not Tolerate Any Hostility against Pakistan”: Chinese Foreign Minister

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Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Yang Jiechi

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi warned that Chinese government and people will not tolerate any hostility against their brotherly neighbour country Pakistan. He assured Pakistan of co-operation in its agriculture sector’s improvement and in resolution of its energy crisis. China has once again stepped up coming to the aid of Pakistan which is surrounded by difficulties and the Chinese foreign minister clarified that nothing is above the friendship between the two countries.

Talking to journalists in Beijing Jiechi said that the Chinese leadership was sincere for Pakistan’s economic development and all possible support was being provided in this regard. While replying to a question on counter-terrorism co-operation the Chinese foreign minister expressed hope that Pakistan would take stringent steps against those backing the extremist elements engaged in negative activities in western China’s Muslim-dominated province of Xinjiang.

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China to Fully Support Pakistan against External Threats: Chinese FM

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China on Tuesday urged the world to recognise Pakistan’s role in the global battle against terrorism in a message that appears to be aimed at the United States, which in recent months has been critical of Islamabad’s contributions to fighting militancy. “This country (Pakistan) has made huge sacrifices and has made huge contributions in the struggle against terrorism. This should be recognised by the international community and Pakistan deserves whole-hearted support from the international community”, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The top Chinese diplomat is leading a high-level delegation including senior intelligence officials to Pakistan at a time when relations between Islamabad and Washington are at their lowest ebb. Yang is scheduled to meet Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today. At a joint news conference with his Pakistani counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister threw his country’s weight behind Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and dignity saying China will stand with Pakistan if Pakistan's sovereignty is threatened.

Without referring to the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and the United States of Zionism, he pointed out that partnership between Pakistan and China had become ever more important due to recent international developments. “Against the backdrop of  the evolving international situation, it is all the more important for us that Pakistan and China have a strong partnership”, he added. He said the purpose of his visit was to further enhance long-term strategic partnerships between the two countries.

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China Launches 2 Satellites with Single Rocket into Space

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China successfully launched two satellites into space for its Beidou global navigation and positioning network, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday, referring to the launch center. The Beidou-2 satellites, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan at 4:50 a.m. Beijing Time Monday, were lifted into space by a Long March-3B carrier rocket and have entered the scheduled orbit. It is the first time China has launched two navigation satellites, the 12th and 13th of its indigenous global navigation and positioning network, with one rocket.

“The two satellites will help improve the accuracy of the Beidou, or Compass system,” the agency quoted the center as saying in a statement. China will launch three more satellites for the Beidou network this year and its global satellite positioning and navigation system will be completed in 2020 with more than 30 orbiters. Beidou currently provides navigation services within China and the neighboring regions. After completion, the project would become an equivalent of the USZ Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's Glonass, and Europe's Galileo.

(Agencies)

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Pak-China alliance: Pakistan Navy inducts first fast missile attack stealthy craft

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PNS Azmat

Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to counter any force challenging the country’s sovereignty or threatening the security of its territorial waters, said the naval chief on Monday. Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila was speaking as the chief guest at the commissioning ceremony of PNS Azmat, Pakistan’s first fast attack craft (missile) at the Xingang Shipyard in Tianjin, China. Admiral Sandila said the induction of PNS Azmat will supplement Pakistan Navy’s combat potential, according to a press release issued by the navy in Islamabad. Terming it a milestone in defence and strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China, he said the attack craft would indeed provide synergy in defence of the country’s sea frontiers. “Its immense firepower coupled with stealthy features makes it a real versatile platform which would not only prove vital for ensuring effective presence in our area of operations, but would bring a new dimension of operation of stealthy platform of this tonnage,” he said.

Admiral Sandila said the commissioning of PNS Azmat concluded the construction of fast attack craft (missile) in China and the construction of a second craft will be completed in Pakistan by the end of 2012. PNS Azmat is the first of Azmat class fast attack craft (missile). Contract for construction of two fast attack craft was signed on the basis of transfer of technology (ToT). In that, the first craft was to be built in China and the second is being constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface missiles and has stealth features.

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Pakistan, China sign Landmark Currency Swap Agreement

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KARACHI: People’s Bank of China (PBC) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday signed a landmark bilateral currency swap arrangement for a three-year period to boost bilateral trade. D U Jinfu, Deputy Governor PBC, and Yaseen Anwar, Governor State Bank, signed an agreement to this effect at a simple ceremony held in Islamabad. “The bilateral CSA has been concluded in Chinese Yuan CNY 10 billion and Rs140 billion for the purpose of promoting bilateral trade and investment and strengthening financial cooperation”, a statement issued by the State Bank said. “The currency swap would expire in three years, but could be extended with mutual consent”, it added.

The State Bank said that it is expected that bi-lateral trade and investment will grow between Pakistan and China as a result of this agreement, further augmenting the economic ties of the two countries. “This agreement will make a significant contribution in further strengthening the close and special relationship between the two countries.” Announcement of the currency swap agreement between the two central banks will give positive signal to the market on the availability of liquidity of the other country’s currency on the onshore market, the State Bank said. “As a result it will promote bi-lateral trade denominated in Chinese Yuan and Pakistan rupee.”

The landmark agreement was signed on the occasion of visit by a high-powered delegation from China headed by Di Bingguo, China’s state councillor who outranks Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi, to Islamabad from Friday. Analysts said that the agreement would prove beneficial for robust trade and commerce between the two countries. Reportedly, the volume of bilateral trade reached $5.789 billion in 2010-11 but the import from China was significantly dominant. The volume of import from China rose to $4.144 billion while export to China remained at $1.645 billion during the period. Pakistani exporters have said that China has vast scope for Pakistani products being the biggest market of the world.

(The News)

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Pakistan informs China about non-participation in Bonn Conference over Afghan End Game

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Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khan has conveyed the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about his country’s decision of not participating in the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan. Pakistan took this decision Tuesday in response to the NATO/ISAF terrorist attacks on Pakistani check-posts last week in which 24 soldiers were martyred and 13 injured. The Ambassador also informed the friendly Chinese side about other important decisions and measures announced by the Cabinet.

Pakistan reviewed the evolving situation after the November 26 attack. Since the attack, Pakistan has been in touch with the international community, particularly with its best friend China, regarding the consequences of these attacks. The Ambassador underlined the Chinese Foreign Ministry that Pakistan attaches highest importance to stability and peace in Afghanistan and supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. He conveyed Pakistan’s strong desire that the international community should reaffirm its support for peace and development in Afghanistan.

Pakistan and China always coordinate closely before major international conferences. Both countries aspire to have peace, stability, national reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan. Earlier this week, China called for full respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Pakistan, demanded thorough investigation of the November 26 attack, and its proper handling.

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Pak-China cooperation no threat to any country: Gen. Kayani

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COAS General Ashfaq Prevez Kayani

Jhelum—Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that no country should feel threatened from close cooperation between Pakistan and China. The COAS was talking to media persons at the conclusion of joint Pak-China military exercises here. He said Pakistan and China were sharing intelligence to fight the menace of extremism and their cooperation would bring peace and stability in the region. He said the two countries enjoy deep rooted relations which have also brought the two people closer to each other.

An impressive closing ceremony of two weeks long Pak-China Joint Military Exercise” Friendship-IV-2011 was held on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and General Hou Shusen, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA) attended the ceremony. In a press briefing on the occasion, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that Pak-China’s relations were purely strategic and these were not against any other country and these relations would help ensure regional peace and stability.

He said that China’s security was dear to Pakistan and such joint exercise would further strengthen the relations between the two countries that were facing common threat of terrorism. He said Pakistan considered China as important in regional stability and it would continue cooperate China countering ETIM. He said Pakistan had not training programmes with China alone but it had such courses with around 50 countries, across the world. He said the joint exercise would enhance the professional skills and operational preparedness of the both armies and developed mutual understanding of each other’s skills and procedures.

He also appreciated the morale of the troops of the both sides, adding these exercise would further boost the existing professional relationship between the two friendly armies. Later addressing the participants of the exercise, he said” I congratulate you all on successful completion of this joint training, which is a reflection of the dedicated efforts made by each tier involved in the exercise.” He added, “I am pleased to know that all of the objectives set forth for YOUYI-2011 have very successful been achieved and as you depart, we pray for your well being and well being of your families.” He said this exercise was fourth in the series and is another step towards to better military cooperation between the two countries, adding 260 troops from China and 280 troops from Pakistan participated in the exercise.

He said, “I am confident that all of us have benefitted from this joint exercise and have exchanged our experiences and professional expertise, this interaction was a unique opportunity for the command and staff elements of both the countries to operate as an entity and this experience has further consolidated and enhanced our brotherly relations.” General Hou Shusen said the Pakistan and China were close friendly countries and in recent years, the traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation between two armed forces were deepening with outstanding achievements, he added. Exercise ‘Friendship-IV’ was a brigade level joint counter terrorism training between two armies. Troops of special services group of the both countries practiced airborne jumps, heli lifting of the troops and assault on the target during the exercise. Senior military leadership from both sides attended the closing ceremony.

(Pakistan Observer)

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Pakistan-China Special Forces start 4th joint Military Drill

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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan-China joint military exercise YOUYI-IV commenced on Monday near Jhelum. The joint exercise, spread over a period of two weeks, is aimed at sharing mutual exchange of experience and information through a comprehensive training programme in real time. An official statement says this exercise is fourth in the series in which Special Forces from both sides will participate. Exercise YOUYI-IV is a Brigade-level joint exercise between the two armies. Chinese Army being well equipped and highly technical in nature is very meticulous, keen and equally professional in their approach. During the last joint exercise in China they demonstrated high sense of professionalism and friendship towards Pakistan.

Exercise YOUYI, which literally translates “friendship” between two countries started in 2004. So far three exercises have been conducted including two in China and one in Pakistan. These exercises were mandated to boost existing professional relationship between the two friendly Armies. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan and China enjoy extremely close and brotherly relations since their inception, which have matured and strengthened over the years. The forthcoming joint military exercise YOUYI-IV will certainly pave the way for further cementing the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. Senior military leadership from both sides will also attend the exercise. The YOUYI-IV exercise will be a true manifestation to a famous Chinese phrase “Pakistan China friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than oceans.”

( The Nation )

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Pakistan to buy 2 Nuclear Power Plants from China

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has planned to purchase two nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts from China, which will be utilized for setting up Karachi Nuclear Power Plant-2 (Kanupp-2) and Kanupp-3 and help mitigate the energy crisis. According to documents available with Our Sources, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) are likely to enter into an agreement to conduct a joint study to finalize design modifications, which would enable Pakistan to acquire two nuclear power plants, each having power generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts. After completion of this project, a contract for establishing Kanupp-2 and Kanupp-3 will be negotiated.

The Planning Commission has said CNNC may be asked to grant intellectual property rights for the existing 1,000-megawatt plant and suggest steps which could help Pakistan avoid violation of property rights. China has three state-owned corporations, which can own and operate nuclear power plants, including China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company (CGNPC) and China Power Investment Corporation (CPIC). CGNPC currently operates four nuclear power plants of 3,758 megawatts in China and also involved in 16 other projects having capacity of 25,000 megawatts, which are under construction. The company’s focus has been on three-loop 1,000-megawatt plants. The Planning Commission also questioned whether PAEC had approached the three nuclear power plant developers in order to ensure fair competition in offering the plants. “Moreover comparison of intellectual property rights of other nuclear power plant vendors may also be brought out”, the commission said.

(PakTribune)

Related Post:

• Chinese Nuclear Firm to help Pakistan generate 10,000 Mega Watts of Power

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China to make manufacturing hub towns connecting Pakistan

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China has worked out policies to transform two western border towns into key financial and manufacturing hubs connecting the country’s inland areas with neighbouring central and south Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan and Pakistan, officials and experts said. The State Council, China’s Cabinet, announced in October a plan to set up two economic zones in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The move is expected to bring prosperity to the relatively poor Xinjiang and shift the country’s opening-up strategy from focusing on eastern coastal regions to a more balanced approach that also emphasizes the land-locked west.

Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road town that borders Pakistan through the plateau of Pamirs, will become a regional logistics center, a financial and trading hub, and a key processing center for internationally traded goods, reports Xinhua news while referring to He Yiming, head of Xinjiang regional government’s commerce bureau. Horgos, a China-Kazakhstan border town, will focus on chemicals, farm products, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. “The infrastructure will be essentially complete in five years, and the industries will take shape by 2020”, He Yiming said. The central government has drawn up ten favourable policies with the establishment of the economic zones in Kashgar and Horgos, ranging from tax exemptions, subsidized electricity and transportation, low-interest loans for infrastructure to development of better rail and air links with neighbouring countries.

He Yiming said China and Kazakhstan will be connected by a new rail and road at Horgos in early December, and a China-Kazakhstan free trade center there is expected to start operation by the end of the year. He Yiming said Xinjiang’s economic zones will serve as a platform for the country’s strategy to further open up to its western neighbours. In the near future, Kashgar and Horgos might even be on par with coastal boomtowns such as Shenzhen, the country’s first economic zone set up in late 1970s, he added. Xinjiang is a sprawling land-locked area that covers one-sixth of the country’s landmass and holds rich oil and gas reserves. The central government pushed for the development of the region with most notably the introduction of an energy tax after the regional capital Urumqi suffered a deadly riot in 2009. The authorities believe stability will come after the root cause of the unrest—poverty—is properly dealt with.

Wang Ning, an economist with the Academy of Social Sciences of Xinjiang, says some of the most “eye-catching” policies for Horgos and Kashgar include making Horgos an import point for automobiles and providing incentives for investors for industry development. Investors are also drawn to the region by the cheap land, government subsidizes for fixed-asset investment, and the farm products processing enterprises, Wang said. “We are mostly attracted by the government’s offering loans at discounted rates and exempting qualified enterprises from business income taxes for five years”, said Huang Peng, a senior consultant of a Canadian joint venture that is setting up a super mall in Horgos. Officials say businesses are flocking to Xinjiang for investment opportunities. “Xinjiang will be a large and promising market with the support of the central government and other provinces”, said Gao Feng, head of Haida Corporation from Shenzhen.

But some investors said they hope policies can be more detailed and more favorable. “The platform for investment remains narrow...but we expect the two economic zones can make some improvements in these areas”, said a businessman with a Hong Kong-invested firm that has done research in Kashgar.

( The Nation )

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China stands by Pakistan through thick and thin

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ISLAMABAD (Agencies) - Chinese vice premier Meng Jianzhu held a string of meetings with Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership and affirmed his country’s unflinching support to Pakistan at all times, and the two countries signed a number of economic and technical cooperation agreements. Though, the Chinese vice premier’s visit was pre-scheduled and part of Pak-China decision to celebrate 2011 as Pak-China Friendship Year, the recent strain in Pak-USZ ties has made it more significant. It is now being viewed as an important display of Chinese support for Pakistan. Meng Jianzhu separately met Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shameem Wynne on Monday and discussed with them the emerging security situation in the region and the fight against terrorism.

In his meeting with Gen Kayani both leaders discussed the USZ allegations levelled against Pakistan and the security threats issued to the country. The Chinese premiere lauded Pakistan at its exemplary sacrifices in the war against terror and assured his country’s continued help to her eternal friend. He discussed with Gen Wynne the emerging geostrategic situation and other matters of mutual interest. CJCSC highlighted the converging interest of Pakistan and China, both in security and economic arenas. Earlier, the Chinese dignitary who arrived on a two-day state visit was accorded a warm welcome by Interior Minister, Pakistan’s ambassador to China Masood Khan and other officials at Chaklala Airbase. In his brief talk at the airport, the Chinese vice premier said that China has always stood by Pakistan and it will help her friend in every hour of need. He said that the two countries have been working together for the peace and stability of region and this exemplary cooperation will continue forever.

Meng Jianzhu said that he was proud of the unprecedented Pak-China friendship that has passed all tests and trials, and it will continue to get stronger in the future. He said the people of Chain and Pakistan are eternal friends and the cooperation of the two countries at state level was a reflection of this time-tested friendship and trust. To a question, he said it was not time to discuss USZ threats but to take the Sino-Pak bilateral cooperation to new heights. Pakistan, who enjoys warm friendship with China, is being pressured by Washington to launch offensive against suspected militant elements in North Waziristan tribal agency. Recently, the USZ officials publicly accused Pakistan and its intelligence agency of supporting Taliban’s Haqqani network. Pakistan has denied the accusations and called them as unfortunate.

Later at night, Pakistan and China signed a number of agreements related to economic and technical cooperation, relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of some damaged parts of national highways networks at a special ceremony in Aiwan-e-Sadr. The ceremony was witnessed by the Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu, President Asif Ali Zardari, federal ministers, Punjab governor, Gilgat-Baltistan chief minister and members of the visiting Chinese delegation. The agreements involving $250 million of Chinese assistance were signed soon after the meeting between the Chinese vice premier and the Pakistani president.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that in two rounds of talks at the Presidency matters concerning Pak-China relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh came under discussion. Those present during the delegation-level meeting included Ambassador Liu Jian, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister Zhou Qing, Assistant Minister Chneg Guoping and Li Wei, DG MFA and former ambassador Mr Luo Zhaohui and other senior officials. From Pakistani side Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Syed Naveed Qamar, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, BISP Chairperson Farzana Raja, Gilgit-Baltistan CM Syed Mehdi Shah, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan Ambassador in China Masood Khan and other senior officials. He said that the Chinese leader reaffirmed China’s continued support to Pakistan in its fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability. The president thanked China for its support to Pakistan on the issues of all major concern to the country and its people. The President said that Pakistan at present was passing through a critical phase as it was battling to purge the curses of militant mindset, to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure and rehabilitate the devastated people who lost everything due to successive natural calamities.

He said that in these peculiar circumstances when the country was grappling with many challenges simultaneously, Chinese assistance has been most welcome in stabilising the situation. The president thanked the Chinese government for sending a consignment of 7,000 tents. He said that the displaced people required hundreds of thousands of tents and Pakistan looked forward to China’s assistance in the areas of shelter and health. Regional situation was also discussed during the meeting. The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciated China’s support to Pakistan on all issues of its major concern. He said that Chinese role - being a source of stability for the region - was very important to write a new era of peace and stability in the region. Meng Jianzhu thanked the president for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and assured continued Chinese support to Pakistan on all issues. Later, the President also hosted a dinner for the Chinese dignitary and his delegation that was also attended by some federal ministers and senior officials.

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Respect Pakistan's Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity: China warns USZ

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With the USZ and Pakistan engaged in a war of words, China on Friday sprung to the defence of its ‘all-weather ally’, and asked Washington to respect Islamabad’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while fighting its war on terror. On a question about the USZ military Chief Admiral Mike Mullen’s accusations that ISI was supporting the Haqqani network to wage a proxy war in Afghanistan, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry defended Pakistan, saying it has been ‘in the forefront of international efforts against terrorism’. “Pakistan has made important sacrifices in global fight against terrorism. We hope relevant country will respect other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity”, he said. He, however, said he was not aware of specific allegations of the USZ.

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Pakistan to get 3rd Generation Chinese Nuclear Technology

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DALIAN (China) - Pakistan plans to import the latest Chinese nuclear technology, a senior Pakistani government official said on Wednesday, reported China Daily on Saturday. “Pakistan is in discussions with Chinese companies for imports of the third-generation nuclear technology”, said Pakistan’s Minister of Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali. The minister said that he hoped the latest technology can be acquired by Pakistan in one or two years. China has helped with two reactors at Pakistan’s Chashma nuclear power plant, both of which use second-generation technology. Pakistan has a third 300-megawatt (MW) reactor under construction at Chashma, financed by China. There are plans for more Chinese reactors in Pakistan, according to the World Nuclear Association.

China is developing its first domestic third-generation nuclear reactor - the CAP 1400 - which is based on Westinghouse Electric Co’s AP1000 pressurised water reactor, and it will boost the unit’s generating capacity to 1,400 MW from 1,154 MW. Construction of the first CAP1400 unit is scheduled to start in Rongcheng, Shandong province, in 2013. CAP 1400 is an indigenous technology, with intellectual property rights owned by the State Nuclear Power Technology Corp under an agreement with Westinghouse. Preliminary designs for the technology will be completed by the end of this year. But preparations for the construction of the first CAP 1400 unit, which were due to start this year, were delayed after the Fukushima nuclear incident in March. Following the Japanese nuclear leak, the Chinese government announced that it would suspend approvals for nuclear power stations and conduct full safety checks of all nuclear projects, including those under construction. Despite safety concerns, industry participants are still committed to nuclear energy.

( The Nation )

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