China says strategic ties with Pakistan not directed against anyone

[sonicboom]

China says strategic ties with Pakistan not directed against anyone

Saibal Dasgupta, TNN
Jul 8, 2010, 09.21pm IST


BEIJING: China continued to be reluctant to come out with a major sop that would help Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari recover from the political crisis he is facing on his home turf. The Chinese foreign ministry was careful on Thursday not to give any indication that it was going to meet Zardari’s requests for two nuclear reactors and a railway link between the two countries.

In fact, Beijing seemed more concerned about India’s possible reactions. "Our cooperation is traditionally beneficial and not targeted against any third country. Such cooperation is not only beneficial for the two countries but also great for the peace and prosperity of the region," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

The Pakistani president desperately needs a political gesture from Beijing for him to demonstrate his success back home. The Chinese leadership was not forthcoming until Thursday evening.

"China and Pakistan are strategic partners enjoying profound traditional friendship. We have shared deepening cooperation across the board," Qing said without directly replying a question on whether China will build a rail link between the two countries.

Zardari is expected to push the Chinese leadership to make a politically useful announcement over the next two days in Beijing. He used his meetings with premier Wen Jiabao and Jin Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on Thursday to press for rail connectivity.

The Pakistani president cited the recent disruption in the Karakoram Highway due to landslides as one of the reasons for establishing a railway line and an oil pipeline that would link the China-made Gwadar port to Chinese cities. He also pleaded for assistance to broaden the Karakoram highway at a cost of $500 million.

Reports in the Pakistani media have suggested that a feasibility study has already been ordered for the 750-km railway line that will pass through the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region. Besides, Pakistan is getting Chinese assistance for improvement and up gradation of 335 km long Khunjrab-Raikot section of the Karokoram Highway, which is expected to be completed in 2012.

The proposed rail link that would pass close to the Indian border with Pakistan has caused some worries in New Delhi with the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna saying, "We are closely watching what is happening." M M Pallam Raju, the Minister of State for Defence recently said the issue is a matter of concern. "But we are taking our counter measures and we are doing our own preparation."

China says strategic ties with Pakistan not directed against anyone - China - World - The Times of India