China-Pakistan Relations

[Neo]

Islamabad and Beijing to enhance trade to $15 billion by 2011

BEIJING (October 16 2009): Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday expressed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in economic, defence and energy sectors for mutual benefit of the two countries.

Prime Minister Gilani met the Chinese leader as he concluded his four-day official visit to China, where he attended the summit of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, besides holding talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other SCO leaders.

Gilani and Wen Jiabao discussed the whole gamut of strategic and economic co-operation between Pakistan and China besides matters relating to agriculture, power generation and finance. The two leaders reviewed the progress on Sino-Pak bilateral ties. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir later told APP that Prime Minister Gilani and Premier Wen Jiabao had an "excellent" meeting, covering entire spectrum of Pakistan-China relationship with complete unanimity on regional situation.

He said the two leaders reviewed strategic and defence co-operation besides having exchange of views on trade co-operation. Pakistan and China agreed to take the bilateral trade to 15 billion dollars by year 2011 from the existing 7 billion dollars, he said.

The Foreign Secretary said the two sides also discussed the measures to carry out projects of communications, including railway and road links and fibre optic. He said Pakistan and China agreed that heads of State Bank of Pakistan and People's Bank of China will meet soon.

He said China agreed to support Pakistan in agriculture and develop agri-zones by growing hybrid rice and sugarcane. Salman Bashir said Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his government's support in building medium and small dams and convincing Chinese companies to invest in this regard. Pakistan and China agreed on making efforts to realise full potential of Gwadar Port, he said.

The Foreign Secretary said Chinese side conveyed Pakistan of giving 135 scholarships to students and pledged to continue supporting education, culture and training of young officers. He said the two leaders agreed that Commission on Science and Technology would meet soon and said China was ready for the capacity-building of Pakistanis in all fields of life.

Premier Wen Jiabao said China remained committed to further its relations with Pakistan in all fields and would help the country safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Wen Jiabao vowed to take Sino-Pak relations to new heights," the Foreign Secretary said.

Both the leaders were of the view that the two nations were opposed to terrorism and would continue to cooperate with each other to eliminate this threat. Premier Wen Jiabao said it was high time to address the global economic crisis and find out a way to counter its impact on growing economies. He said Pakistan was an important member of the forum and was playing a key role in this regard.

During the meeting the two leaders also noted that both Pakistan and China share similar views on important regional and global issues and would continue to extend support to each other at all levels. They also agreed on exploiting the full potential of the two business communities to boost their economy and trade

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Pacts, MoUs signed on space technology, energy

BEIJING (October 16 2009): Pakistan and China on Thursday signed two agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Space concessional loan, space technology and alternative energy. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani witnessed the signing ceremonies as the respective officials of the companies inked the documents. The concessional loan agreement for Paksat was signed between Pakistan's Economic Affairs Division and Export Import Bank of China.

Under the agreement, China will provide an amount of 190 million dollars for the supply of Paksat-1R which will replace the Paksat-1 that has a life span till 2011. The loan will cover 85 percent cost of the project. Another agreement was signed between Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation for Pakistan-1R Satellite Ground Control Segment.

The Ground Control Segment will comprise the establishment of stations at Lahore and Karachi. The stations will be used to monitor the satellite and control its operation for the duration of its 15-year life. Pakistan's Alternative Energy Board signed MoUs with China's Wuxi Suntech Power Company and China Electric Equipment Group Solar Energy Research Institute Co Ltd (CEEG SI) respectively for co-operation in alternate energy projects in Pakistan.

Both Suntech and CEEG SI are major Chinese companies in the field of alternative energy and involved in several projects both in China and abroad. The two companies are interested in undertaking alternative energy projects in Pakistan to help overcome power crisis in the country.

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China's top political advisor vows to boost ties with Pakistan

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Wednesday vowed to boost strategic partnership of cooperation with Pakistan.

"We always treat and promote China-Pakistan relations from strategic and long-term perspective," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Jia made the remarks when meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Hailing the profound friendship between the two good neighbors and partners since forging diplomatic ties 58 years ago, Jia said China and Pakistan had always trusted and supported each other on major international issues and issues concerning each other's core interests.

"We give priority to China-Pakistan ties in our foreign policy," Jia said, noting that China would work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in culture, sports, tourism and other sectors.

This would benefit the two peoples and help regional peace and development, Jia said.

Gilani arrived in Beijing Monday evening for a four-day visit to China.

Gilani said his country just concluded a series of activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding the People's Republic of China.

Gilani said China's development helped promote the peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large.

The prime minister said Pakistan applauded China's support for its economic and social progress, hoping that the two nations would increase cooperation in infrastructure, hydropower, energy and other areas.

Gilani also expressed the willingness to enhance parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

Pakistan supported all measures China had taken to safeguard national stability, ethnic unity and the fight against the "three evil forces" of separatism, terrorism and extremism.

It was Gilani's first visit to China since he became the prime minister in March.

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Enhancing Trade: China for frequent exchange of business delegations

ISLAMABAD: A trade delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by its President Zahid Maqbool attended the inaugural ceremony of China (Shenzhen) International Industrial Fair 2009 at China South City in Shenzhen, China.

The fair, which continued from 22-25th October was featuring more than 400,000 types of different products and raw materials from exhibitors in over 3,000 exhibition units showcasing light engineering products ranging from textiles and clothing; leather and accessories; crafts and gifts; metals, chemicals and plastics; printing and packaging materials; electronics; and imported goods.

Welcoming the ICCI delegation to the Industrial Fair 2009, Xueweng President, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Ghang Bei, Mayor of Shenzhen District Government and Chen Yingchun, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality desired frequent visits of Pakistani entrepreneurs to China for further strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations.

They held long discussions with the ICCI delegation and exchanged views to identify areas for enhancing bilateral trade and investment. They said presence of the ICCI delegation in the Industrial Fair was very encouraging for them and it demonstrates the keenness of Pakistani businessmen to promote business relations with China. They desired that next time, the ICCI should come with bigger delegation and hoped that their visit to China would lead to exposure of many untapped areas for mutual exploitation.

Speaking on the occasion, Zahid Maqbool President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) said China is Pakistan’s strategic partner and close friend. He said President Asif Ali Zardari’s four visits within one year and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s recent visit to China was a clear manifestation of Pakistan’s trust on China and shows the determination of Pakistan’s leadership to further deepen and strengthen bilateral relations. He thanked China Chamber of International Commerce & China Council for the promotion of international trade for organizing the grand Industrial Fair and inviting the ICCI delegation to participate in this event.

Zahid Maqbool briefed the Chinese entrepreneurs about business opportunities in Pakistan and said that many sectors of Pakistan’s economy including infrastructure development, energy, exploration of minerals, oil & gas, manufacturing, textiles, IT, engineering & financial services, real-estate, mass transit network, chemical, fertilizer, automobile, and agro-based industry etc. offer plenty of lucrative opportunities to Chinese investors. He invited them to come to Pakistan and explore these areas for joint ventures and investment.

[A1Kaid]

Pakistani Air Chief leaves for China


English_Xinhua 2009-11-05 22:49:25


ISLAMABAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has proceeded to China at the invitation of People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Commander for an official visit to participate in the ceremonies, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the PLAAF, the PAF said Thursday.

He will also attend the Forum for Peace and Development, being held on the occasion, a PAF statement said. The Forum would be attended by Air Chiefs of more than 30 air forces from across the globe.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman would be a keynote speaker at the Forum and present his vision of the role of air forces in future warfare, as well as their supportive role in relief operations during natural calamities and disasters.

He would also be head of the Air Chiefs' delegation, making courtesy call on President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China.

Additionally, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman would hold in-depth talks with the heads and CEOs of Chinese Defense Industries.

This year marks the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Its naval force was founded on April 23, 1949, and its air force on Nov. 11 that year.

Previous report said the PLA air force would put its most advanced warplanes on display in the suburbs of Beijing in November, to mark its 60th founding anniversary.

In addition to aircraft display, an international military forum themed "harmonious skies" would also be held in Beijing later this month.

More than 300 senior air force officers from China and more than 30 other countries are expected to attend the forum to mark the PLA air force's 60th anniversary.

Editor: Yan

Source: Pakistani air chief leaves for China_English_Xinhua

[A1Kaid]

China's Military and Security Relationship with Pakistan

May 26, 2009 by Lisa Curtis


Pakistan and China have long-standing strategic ties, dating back five decades. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari wrote in a recent op-ed that, "No relationship between two sovereign states is as unique and durable as that between Pakistan and China."[1] China's partnership with Pakistan first emerged during the mid-1950s when Beijing reached out to several developing countries, and then deepened significantly during the period of Sino-Indian hostility from 1962 to the late 1980s.

Chinese policy toward Pakistan is driven primarily by its interest in countering Indian power in the region and diverting Indian military force and strategic attention away from China. South Asia expert Stephen Cohen describes China as pursuing a classic balance of power by supporting Pakistan in a relationship that mirrors the one between the U.S. and Israel.[2] The China-Pakistan partnership serves both Chinese and Pakistani interests by presenting India with a potential two-front theater in the event of war with either country.[3]

Chinese officials also view a certain degree of India-Pakistan tension as advancing their own strategic interests as such friction bogs India down in South Asia and interferes with New Delhi's ability to assert its global ambitions and compete with China at the international level. That said, Beijing has demonstrated in recent years that it favors bilateral Indo-Pakistani negotiations to resolve their differences and has played a helpful role in preventing the outbreak of full-scale war between the two countries, especially during the 1999 Indo-Pakistani border conflict in the heights of Kargil.

Chinese-Pakistan Defense Ties

China is Pakistan's largest defense supplier. China transferred equipment and technology and provided scientific expertise to Pakistan's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs throughout the 1980s and 1990s, enhancing Pakistan's strength in the South Asian strategic balance. The most significant development in China-Pakistan military cooperation occurred in 1992 when China supplied Pakistan with 34 short-range ballistic M-11 missiles.[4] Recent sales of conventional weapons to Pakistan include JF-17 aircraft, JF-17 production facilities, F-22P frigates with helicopters, K-8 jet trainers, T-85 tanks, F-7 aircraft, small arms, and ammunition.[5] Beijing also built a turnkey ballistic-missile manufacturing facility near the city of Rawalpindi and helped Pakistan develop the 750-km-range, solid-fueled Shaheen-1 ballistic missile.[6]While the U.S. has sanctioned Pakistan in the past--in 1965 and again in 1990--China has consistently supported Pakistan's military modernization effort.

China has helped Pakistan build two nuclear reactors at the Chasma site in the Punjab Province and continues to support Pakistan's nuclear program, although it has been sensitive to international condemnation of the A. Q. Khan affair and has calibrated its nuclear assistance to Pakistan accordingly. During Pakistani President Zardari's visit to Beijing in mid-October 2008, Beijing pledged to help Pakistan construct two new nuclear power plants at Chasma, but did not propose or agree to a major China-Pakistan nuclear deal akin to the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement. U.S. congressional Members have expressed concern about China's failure to apply Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) "full-scope safeguards" to its nuclear projects in Pakistan.[7]

China also is helping Pakistan develop a deep-sea port at the naval base at Gwadar in Pakistan's province of Baluchistan on the Arabian Sea. The port would allow China to secure oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf and project power in the Indian Ocean. China financed 80 percent of the $250 million for completion of the first phase of the project and reportedly is funding most of the second phase of the project as well.[8] The complex will provide a port, warehouses, and industrial facilities for more than 20 countries and will eventually have the capability to receive oil tankers with a capacity of 200,000 tons. There is concern that China may turn its investment in Gwadar Port into access for its warships.

The India Factor

China has been able to successfully pursue closer relations with India, especially on the economic front (bilateral trade rose from $5 billion to $40 billion in the course of five years), while continuing to pursue strong military and strategic ties to Pakistan.

China's interest in improving ties to India over the last decade has spurred Beijing to develop a more neutral position on the Kashmir issue, rather than reflexively taking Pakistan's side, which has traditionally meant supporting United Nations resolutions calling for a plebiscite or backing Pakistan's attempts to wrest the region by force, as with Pakistan's 1965 Operation Gibraltar.[9] A turning point in China's position on Kashmir came during the 1999 Kargil crisis when Beijing helped convince Pakistan to withdraw forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control following its incursion into the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Beijing made clear its position that the two sides should resolve the Kashmir conflict through bilateral negotiations, not military force. India was pleased with China's stance on the Kargil crisis, which allowed Beijing and New Delhi to overcome tensions in their relations that had developed over India's 1998 nuclear tests.

Despite the evolution in the Chinese position on Kashmir, China continues to maintain a robust defense relationship with Pakistan, and to view a strong partnership with Pakistan as a useful way to contain Indian power. China's attempt to scuttle the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement at the September 2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting was evidence for many Indians that China does not willingly accept India's rise on the world stage. The Chinese--buoyed by the unexpected opposition from NSG nations like New Zealand, Austria, and Ireland--threatened the agreement with delaying tactics and last-minute concerns signaled through an article in the Chinese Communist Party's English-language paper, The People's Daily.[10] The public rebuke of the deal followed several earlier assurances from Chinese leaders that Beijing would not block consensus at the NSG.

Indian observers claim the Chinese tried to walk out of the NSG meetings in order to prevent a consensus, but that last-minute interventions from senior U.S. and Indian officials convinced them that the price of scuttling the deal would be too high, forcing them to return to the meeting.[11] Indian strategic affairs analyst Uday Bhaskar attributed the Chinese maneuvering to longstanding competition between the two Asian rivals. "Clearly, until now China has been the major power in Asia," said Bhaskar. "With India entering the NSG, a new strategic equation has been introduced into Asia and this clearly has caused disquiet to China." Indian official Palaniappan Chidambaram (now Home Minister), citing China's position within the NSG, said that, "From time to time, China takes unpredictable positions that raise a number of questions about its attitude toward the rise of India."

Tensions over Separatists and Islamist Extremists

One source of tension between Beijing and Islamabad that has surfaced has been the issue of Chinese Uighur separatists receiving sanctuary and training on Pakistani territory. The Chinese province of Xinjiang is home to 8 million Muslim Uighurs, many of whom resent the growing presence and economic grip on the region of the Han Chinese. Some have agitated for an independent "East Turkestan." To mollify China's concerns, Pakistan in recent years has begun to clamp down on Uighur settlements and on religious schools used as training grounds for militants.[12] Media reports indicate that Pakistan may have extradited as many as nine Uighurs to China in April after accusing them of involvement in terrorist activities.[13]

Tension has also surfaced over Islamist extremism in Pakistan. It came to a head in the summer of 2007 when vigilantes kidnapped several Chinese citizens whom they accused of running a brothel in Islamabad. China was incensed by this incident, and its complaints to Pakistani authorities likely contributed to Pakistan's decision to finally launch a military operation at the Red Mosque in Islamabad, where the militants had been holed up since January 2007. Around the same timeframe as the Red Mosque episode, three Chinese officials were killed in Peshawar in July 2007. Several days later, a suicide bomber attacked a group of Chinese engineers in Baluchistan. Last August, Islamist extremists abducted Chinese engineer, Long Ziaowei, in Pakistan's Swat Valley. The Chinese protested vehemently to the Pakistani government and Ziaowei was released unharmed in February.

Security concerns about Pakistan could move the Chinese in the direction of working more closely with the international community to help stabilize the country. During President Zardari's visit to Beijing in October 2008, Beijing resisted providing Pakistan a large-scale bailout from its economic crisis, thus forcing Islamabad to accept an International Monetary Fund program with stringent conditions for economic reform. Beijing did come through with a soft loan of about $500 million, though. China is part of the 11-member "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" grouping that was formed last September and met in April in Tokyo. The grouping has pledged to lend collective support to Pakistan in consolidating its democratic institutions, the rule of law, good governance, socio-economic advancement, economic reform, and progress in meeting the challenge of terrorism.

In another sign that China feels increasingly compelled to pressure Pakistan to adopt more responsible counterterrorism policies, Beijing dropped its resistance to banning the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD--a front organization for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, responsible for the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai) in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last December. China had previously vetoed UNSC resolutions seeking to ban the JuD over the last several years.

Recommendations for U.S. Policy

Given that China, Pakistan, and India are nuclear-armed states and that border disputes continue to bedevil both India-Pakistan and India-China relations, the U.S. must pay close attention to the security dynamics of the region and seek opportunities to reduce military tensions and discourage further nuclear proliferation.

China's apparent growing concern over Islamist extremism in Pakistan may provide opportunities for Washington to work more closely with Beijing in encouraging more effective Pakistani counterterrorism policies. Pakistan's reliance on both the U.S. and China for aid and diplomatic support means that coordinated approaches from Washington and Beijing provide the best chance for impacting Pakistani policies in a way that encourages regional stability. Conversely, the more Pakistan believes it can play the U.S. and China off one another, the less likely it will be to take necessary economic and political reforms and to rein in extremists. China's involvement in the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" grouping is a positive sign that it may be willing to contribute to a multilateral effort aimed at stabilizing the situation in Pakistan.

The U.S. should also seek to convince China to play a responsible role with regard to its nuclear cooperation with Pakistan, emphasizing the need to discourage nuclear-weapons stockpiling in a country facing the specter of further instability. China and the U.S. share the goal of preventing Pakistan's nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands--China perhaps even more so, given its geographic proximity to Pakistan. Recent encroachments by the Taliban into parts of northwest Pakistan have added a more dangerous dimension to nuclear proliferation in Pakistan and require new thinking among stakeholders in the region for avoiding a nightmare scenario in which al-Qaeda gains access to Pakistan's nuclear weapons. There is little reason to panic about the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons at the moment since the Pakistan military is a professional and unified force that has adopted security procedures to avoid such a worst-case scenario. Even so, recent developments in the country should add new impetus to regional efforts to control nuclear proliferation.

The U.S. should involve China in efforts to encourage greater South Asia regional economic integration and cooperation. Chinese financial aid to Pakistan has been valuable in maintaining economic stability there both before and during the global financial crisis. Chinese direct investment, such as China Mobile's acquisition of Paktel, and assisting Afghan and Pakistani companies to tap the potentially huge Chinese market would be helpful in the creation of a more prosperous region. Trade flows are relatively undeveloped and would be particularly promising if transport links can be improved. Washington should encourage the Chinese to take part in economic and trade ventures that involve bringing Afghanistan and Pakistan together for mutual economic benefit. This would fit with China's interest in accessing Middle East markets through Afghanistan and Pakistan and help provide each country with a vested interest in promoting regional stability.

Conclusion

To date China's pursuit of relations with Pakistan has been aimed primarily at containing Indian power in the region. With rising instability in nuclear-armed Pakistan and the threat of Taliban forces gaining influence there, both China and the U.S. must take responsibility for encouraging greater stability and coherence among Pakistan's leadership. China's handling of the current crisis in Pakistan is a true test of its credentials as a responsible global player.

[1]Asif Ali Zardari, "Sino-Pakistan Relations Higher than Himalayas," China Daily, February 23, 2009, at http://www.chinadaily.cn/opinion/2009-02/23
/content_7501699.htm (May 13, 2009).

[2]Stephen P. Cohen, India: Emerging Power (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2001), p. 259.

[3]John W. Garver, Protracted Contest: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Twentieth Century (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2001), p. 188.

[4]Ahmad Faruqui, "The Complex Dynamics of Pakistan's Relationship with China," Islamabad Policy Research Institute (Summer 2001), at IPRI :: Islamabad Policy Research Institute (May 14, 2009).

[5]"Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People's Republic of China, 2009," Office of the Secretary to Defense, p. 57.

[6]"Pakistan Profile," Nuclear Threat Initiative, January 2009, at NTI: Country Overviews: Pakistan: Introduction (May 14, 2009).

[7]Shirley A. Khan, "China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues," Congressional Research Services Report RL31555, January 7, 2009, p. 3.

[8]Ziad Haider, "Baluchis, Beijing, and Pakistan's Gwadar Port," Politics and Diplomacy (Winter/Spring 2005), pp. 96, 97.

[9]Operation Gibraltar was an operation launched in August 1965 by the Pakistani military that sought to infiltrate militants into Indian Kashmir to provoke an insurrection among Kashmiri Muslims against Indian rule in the region. However, the strategy was not well-coordinated and the infiltrators were quickly discovered, precipitating an Indian counterattack that resulted in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War.

[10]Chris Buckley, "China State Paper Lashes India-U.S. Nuclear Deal," Reuters India, September 1, 2008, at http://in.reuters.com/article/
topNews/idINIndia-35260420080901(May 14, 2009).

[11]Bhaskar Roy, "China Unmasked--What Next?" South Asia Analysis Group Paper No. 2840, September 12, 2008.

[12]Ziad Haider, "Clearing Clouds Over the Karakoram Pass," YaleGlobal Online, March 29, 2004, at http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article
?id=3603&page=2 (May 14, 2009).

[13]Press release, "Freedom House Condemns Pakistan, China for Uighur Extraditions," Freedom House, May 7, 2009 at freedomhouse.org: Press Release (May 14, 2009).

Source: China's Military and Security Relationship with Pakistan

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The rising China, Pakistan strategic cooperation

The strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing is rising in a muti-faceted manner. The announced initiatives are in energy, dams, railsroads, roads, education, culture, and almost every other field possible. China continues to see value in continuing to build a mutually beneficial and long term relationship with Pakistan.

The Trade between China and Pakistan consolidates a friendship as old as the Himalayas President Asif Ali Zardari has said that during the last one year Pakistan and China have identified more than 50 new initiatives for joint collaboration and signed more than three dozen MoUs. He said this during an interview with a Chinese newspaper held at the Presidency.

He said the world admires the all round development China has achieved. Being a longstanding friend, Pakistan is naturally keen to learn from the Chinese experience. However, the extent and depth of political and diplomatic relations have not been fully reflected in our economic ties, said the president.

The president there was a lot to learn from the Chinese model of economic development particularly the model adopted in its provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong. The progress made by China in agriculture particularly in hybrid seed technology and optimal utilization of water is something that can be emulated in other countries as well, said Zardari.

While responding to a question about his visits to China, the president said that during all his visits he focused on familiarizing himself with the Chinese experience of growth and development.

‘I think there is a great deal Pakistan can learn from the Chinese experience and its development model,’ he said. ‘The goodwill must act as a precursor for adding greater commercial and cultural content to the economic and public diplomacy between the two countries,’ the president added.

The foundations of a strong friendship with China were laid by the visionary policies of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and he played a pioneering role in building this strategic cooperative relationship, said Zardari.

‘The real challenge is how to actualize the great potential of economic cooperation between the two countries. The trajectory of future relationship is clear. The two countries will continue to cooperate for promotion of global and regional peace, advancement in the science and technology, improvement in the living standards of our respective people and fight against environmental degradation. This relationship will grow stronger and stronger with each passing year. We have resolved to take this partnership to greater heights,’ the president observed.

When asked about Pakistan’s stance over the situation in Xinjiang province, the president said the Government of Pakistan fully supports the Chinese Government’s efforts to maintain social stability, peace and ethnic harmony in Xinjiang and indeed throughout China. ‘We fully support the Chinese Government’s efforts to promote the development of Xinjiang Autonomous Region as part of China’s Western Development Strategy.’

Pakistan fully supports China’s policy of social harmony and development which is producing great results for all Chinese people.

We also believe that with the unprecedented economic development in China all ethnic groups would stand to gain, he added.

Let us look at a few examples of Pakistani-Chinese cooperation–The Heavy Mechanical Complex, the The Advanced Electronic Complex, the Kamra Aeronautical Complex, the Karakoram Highway, Gwader Sea Port, 50 new dams, The Chinese University in Pakistan, the six Chinese industrial estates in Pakistan, the new Shipyards at Gwader, Port Qasim, Karachi, Chasnupp 1,Chasnupp 2, Chasnupp 3, Chasnupp 4, Chasnupp 5 and Chasnupp 6.

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China vows to deepen military cooperation with Pakistan

English_Xinhua 2009-12-18

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (R) meets with Noman Bashir, visiting Pakistani chief of the naval staff, in Beijing, Dec. 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese armed forces would like to improve friendly and cooperative relations with the Pakistani armed forces, a senior Chinese military official said here Friday.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie made the remarks when meeting with Noman Bashir, visiting Pakistani chief of the naval staff.

China attached great importance to its traditional friendship with Pakistan, Liang said, adding that the two countries had conducted comprehensive and multi-level military exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Pakistani armed forces and people cherished their friendship with the Chinese armed forces and people, Noman Bashir said, noting that Pakistan would like to work with China to promote the comprehensive and cooperative partnership.

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Pakistan's first China think tank serves to promote bilateral ties

January 06, 2010

The first think tank on China in Pakistan has made efforts and will do more to promote the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, said the head of the think tank.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute Mushahid Hussain said a Pakistan-China friendship caravan consisting of 60 people will leave for China in June.

Hussain, also former Information Minister, said that he will lead the caravan from Gilgit area of Pakistan to China's Kashghar by road to attend the Kashghar Trade Fair to be commencing on June25 and also to promote economic relations and cultural ties between the two countries.

"I would lead the friendship delegation, consisting of businessmen, media men, think tank scholars, experts and cultural specialists, via the Silk Route to China. By traveling via the Silk Route we want to revive the traditional route and highlight its importance as well," he said.

Turning to the think tank launched on Oct. 1, 2009 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Hussain said the institute focuses on efforts to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense and diplomacy, investment, trade and economy, energy, education, culture, youth and women, tourism, academia and media.

About the recent steps the think tank has taken for promoting Pakistan-China relations, he said the Pakistan-China Institute has decided recently to launch the Pakistan-China friendship caravan, to establish a Pakistan-China scholar forum consisting of scholars from both sides, and to launch Pakistan-China research data base.

Hussain said it also decided to link up some Pakistani companies for the biggest Shanghai Expo running from May to October in the Chinese metropolis.

The think tank have engaged different coordinator and assigned duties to them in Karachi, Lahore and Gilgit-Baltistan in various fields like culture, tourism, education and other areas and activities with Pakistan-China friendship forum were also coordinated, he said.

Referring to the current energy crisis in Pakistan, the think tank chief said Pakistan can invite Chinese companies to carry out geological surveys for coal mines, to prepare feasibility report and to dig for coal.

He cited his experience in Urumqi, Xinjiang, where China has developed a very sophisticated technology in wind power and solar power and suggested Pakistan learn from it. He said that China is a leader in cheaper sources of energy.

On China's role in South Asia and the role of Pakistan-China Institute, Hussain said that the joint statement issued by Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama in Beijing last November is very positive as it seeks peace, stability and security in South Asia.

Hussain praised China's positive role in South Asia, its commitment to peace and its policy of non-intervention in internal affairs of any other states, saying "China is the holder of universal principle, so we welcome China's role for peace."

To promote cooperation for the peace in the region, he said, the Pakistan-China Institute has a plan to organize a seminar in the third week of January in Islamabad, and to invite Chinese scholars for another seminar in June.

He termed China's investment in Pakistan as unique, saying that the investment has been long-term and strategic. He said it has helped the people of Pakistan in different areas, and it contributed to transfer of technology but there have never been conditions attached whether it's the heavy industrial complex in Taxila, near Islamabad, Gwadar port, a newly-built port in the south, or Zong mobile.

The Pakistan-China Institute is the first non-governmental, non-party and non-political organization with equal number of experts, scholars and intellectuals from China and Pakistan. It is the first Pakistan-based think tank to promote, strengthen and expand Pakistan-China relations in different fields.

[Neo]

China vows to continue supporting Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deputy head has reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.

Talking to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid at the Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala, Deputy Chief of General Staff General Ma Xiaotian said China acknowledges the “great sacrifices rendered by Pakistan, its people and the armed forces in combating terrorism, for which Pakistan deserves the praise and gratitude of the world”.

The PLA deputy head is currently on a visit to Pakistan for the seventh round of Pak-China defence and security talks. The dialogue was part of a meeting between the delegates of the two countries, and was aimed at sharing perspectives on the fast-evolving regional security situation and for developing common insights into emerging scenarios. The discussion focused on the impact of changing global security dynamics, progress in the efforts against terrorism, revised US strategy for Afghanistan, intra-regional disputes and posturing of states involved. The tenuous spectre of strategic stability in the region and security measures for Chinese citizens in Pakistan were also discussed.

Speaking on the occasion, General Majid extended felicitations on the 60th Anniversary of China and lauded its spectacular economic progress and technological modernisation. app