China-Pakistan Relations

[A1Kaid]

China-Pakistan Relations





November 24, 2006 Pakistan-China sign major free trade deal.




Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (R) talks with Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan, during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept.26, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)


Near Pakistan-China Border

Author: Jamal Afridi


Updated: August 20, 2009

Introduction

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1951, China and Pakistan have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1950 and remained a steadfast ally during Beijing's period of international isolation in the 1960s and early 1970s. China has long provided Pakistan with major military, technical, and economic assistance, including the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology and equipment. Some experts predict growing relations between the United States and rival India will ultimately prompt Pakistan to push for even closer ties with its longtime strategic security partner, China. Others say China's increased concern about Pakistan-based insurgency groups may cause Beijing to proceed with the relationship in a more cautious manner.

The India Question

China and Pakistan have traditionally valued one another as a strategic hedge against India. "For China, Pakistan is a low-cost secondary deterrent to India," current Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani told CFR.org in 2006, when he was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "For Pakistan," he said, "China is a high-value guarantor of security against India." Mutual enmity between India and Pakistan dates to partition in August 1947, when Britain relinquished its claim over the Indian subcontinent and divided its former colony into two states. Since then Pakistan and India have fought three wars and a number of low-level conflicts. Tensions remain high over the disputed territory of Kashmir with periodic military posturing on both sides of the border.

India has long been perturbed by China's military aid to Pakistan. K. Alan Kronstadt, a specialist in South Asian affairs at the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, writes (PDF) that observers in India see Chinese support for Pakistan as "a key aspect of Beijing's perceived policy of 'encirclement' or constraint of India as a means of preventing or delaying New Delhi's ability to challenge Beijing's region-wide influence." China and India fought a border war in 1962, and both still claim the other is occupying large portions of their territory. "The 1962 Sino-Indian border conflict was a watershed moment for the region," says John W. Garver, professor of international relations at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "Both China and India incurred heavy costs on their economic development, and both sides shifted their policy over time to become more accommodating to growth."

A Deepening Military Bond

China's role as a major arms supplier for Pakistan began in the 1960s and included assistance in building a number of arms factories in Pakistan and supplying complete weapons systems. "Until about 1990," write South Asia experts Elizabeth G. M. Parker and Teresita C. Schaffer in a July 2008 CSIS newsletter (PDF), "Beijing clearly sought to build up Pakistan to keep India off balance." After the 1990 imposition of U.S. sanctions on Pakistan, China became the country's leading arms supplier. Collaboration now includes personnel training, joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism efforts. While the relationship is not quite balanced, it has been critically important to Pakistan. "Pakistan needs China more than China needs Pakistan," says Huang Jing, a China expert at the National University of Singapore. Pakistan has benefited from China's assistance with the following defense capabilities:

* Missile: Pakistan's army has both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Shaheen missile series, that experts say are modifications of Chinese imports.

* Aircraft: The current fleet of the Pakistani Air Force includes Chinese interceptor and advanced trainer aircraft, as well as an Airborne Early Warning and Control radar system used to detect aircraft. Pakistan is producing the JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft jointly with China. The K-8 Karakorum light attack aircraft was also co-produced.

* Nuclear Program: China supplies Pakistan with nuclear technology and assistance, including what many experts suspect was the blueprint for Pakistan's nuclear bomb. Some news reports suggest Chinese security agencies knew about Pakistani transfers of nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea, and Libya. China was also accused of having long-standing ties with Abdul Qadeer Khan (A.Q. Khan), known as the father of the Pakistani nuclear program and head of an international black market nuclear network.

Bolstering Ties

Since the late 1990s, economic concerns have gained prominence alongside the military-strategic aspect of the relationship; specifically, trade and energy have taken precedence. Over the years, frequent exchanges of high-level visits and contacts between the two countries have resulted in a number of bilateral trade agreements and investment commitments. Trade relations began shortly after the establishment of diplomatic ties in the early 1950s, and the two countries signed their first formal trade agreement in 1963. A comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2008, giving each country unprecedented market access to the other. Trade between Islamabad and Beijing now hovers around $7 billion a year, and both sides are set on raising the figure to $15 billion by 2010.

The two countries have cooperated on a variety of large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including highways, gold and copper mines, major electricity complexes and power plants, and numerous nuclear power projects. With roughly ten thousand Chinese workers engaged in 120 projects in Pakistan, total Chinese investment--which includes heavy engineering, power generation, mining, and telecommunications--was valued at $4 billion in 2007 and is expected to rise to $15 billion by 2010. One of the most significant joint development projects of recent years is the major port complex at the naval base of Gwadar, located in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. The complex, inaugurated in December 2008 and now fully operational, provides a deep-sea port, warehouses, and industrial facilities for more than twenty countries. China provided much of the technical assistance and 80 percent of the funds for the construction of the port. In return for providing most of the labor and capital for the project, China gains strategic access to the Persian Gulf: the port is just 180 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of all globally traded oil is shipped. This enables China to diversify and secure its crude oil import routes and provides the landlocked and oil and natural gas-rich Xinjiang Province with access to the Arabian Sea.

As Pakistan continues to face economic woes with falling foreign investment, a weakening currency, and an under-performing stock market, securing closer economic cooperation with Beijing is seen as vital. Pakistan currently faces a growing balance of payments deficit, and China's capacity as a creditor may be able to correct Islamabad's urgent predicament. "China's huge foreign-exchange reserves," writes Kronstadt, "are a potential source of a major cash infusion."

The Balancing Act

Despite increased cooperation between the United States and Pakistan since 2001, Islamabad places greater value on its relationship with Beijing than vice versa, say analysts. "Pakistan thinks that both China and the United States are crucial for it," said Haqqani. "If push comes to shove, it would probably choose China--but for this moment, it doesn't look like there has to be a choice." Pakistan considers China a more reliable ally than the United States, citing years of diplomatic manipulation and neglect on the part of Washington. As this interactive timeline explains, Pakistan and China grew closer in the 1960s as Washington and Islamabad began to part ways over the handling of regional issues. In particular, Pakistan felt betrayed when Washington cut off aid to Islamabad during its 1965 and 1971 wars with India. Pakistan played a pivotal role as an intermediary during the U.S.-China rapprochement in the early 1970s, but Pakistanis are still stung by what they see as U.S. indifference toward their country after using it to funnel aid to the Afghan mujahadeen to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan.

The India-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement compounds Pakistan's distrust of the United States, spurring efforts by Pakistani officials to secure a similar deal with China. Pakistan had earlier requested a civil nuclear cooperation deal with the United States, but Washington refused. However, some experts don't see a China-Pakistan civilian nuclear deal in the making anytime soon. "Given the prevailing political situation in Pakistan," says Sumit Ganguly, professor of political science at Indiana University in Bloomington, "China remains circumspect about going through with a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan."

Meanwhile, China is concerned over the increasing level of extremism inside Pakistan. Some experts say China is also concerned about Chinese Uighur separatists in the western province of Xinjiang finding a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas. According to Ziad Haider in a 2005 Asian Survey article, Uighur militants were enrolled in Pakistani madrassas during the 1980s and fought the Soviets alongside the Taliban and later against the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan. Some of these madrassas, Haider writes, "provided an important site for the recruitment of [Uighur] fighters" who later returned to Xinjiang.

China has also publicly expressed concern over the increased level of kidnappings and killings of Chinese citizens by Pakistani militants. China's ambassador in Islamabad urged Pakistan to "take effective measures to protect all the Chinese in Pakistan" after militants shot and killed three Chinese nationals in July 2007. Militants continue to target Chinese workers in Balochistan Province. However, Beijing is wary of getting heavily involved in counterterrorism efforts. "China is well aware of the threat it faces if it becomes too involved in counterterrorism efforts within Pakistan," says Garver, "and that means taking a more cautious and calculated approach--at least publicly--in strengthening Pakistan's secular institutions against the Islamist challenge. This may partly explain why China has been quite comfortable in encouraging the United States to engage more with Pakistan: to take the heat off of China."
Regional Cooperation

Experts say all countries in the region are reevaluating their traditional positions. "Everyone in the region has learned to [develop] a relatively non-ideological set of policies," says Kenneth G. Lieberthal, a noted China expert and professor at the University of Michigan. As CSIS's Parker and Schaffer note, China has taken a more neutral position on India-Pakistan issues such as Kashmir in the past decade and a half, and has "begun to take the relationship with India more seriously." A case in point, they say, was China's dissatisfaction with Pakistani military action across the Line of Control, which separates India- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

Pakistan is also not the only South Asian nation China is interested in strengthening ties with: Beijing has expanded its relations with Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives. "China has a clear-cut strategy for using its leverage in the region," says Ganguly of Indiana University. "They're going to continue to work with India's neighbors as a strategic hedge against New Delhi, but Pakistan will remain central to this strategy."

Experts believe that any confrontation between India and Pakistan is not in China's interest and would put Beijing in the position of having to choose between the two countries and draw the United States further into the region. "In this sense," writes Kronstadt, "peace between India and Pakistan is in China's interest."

Esther Pan contributed to this Backgrounder.

Source: China-Pakistan Relations - Council on Foreign Relations (From the dreaded Council of Foreign Relations...)

[Neo]

Need to strengthen ties with China stressed

ISLAMABAD (September 27 2009): Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday stressed the need for enhancing bilateral relations with China on which, they said, the bright future of Pakistan lies. China-Pakistan Economic Co-operation Seminar was organised by ICCI and Association of Chinese Enterprises in Pakistan (ACEP) with an aim to explore ways and means for further boosting relations between the two countries particularly economic co-operation.

Among others, the seminar was attended by Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Ambassador of China in Pakistan, Luo Zhaohui, Counsellor, Yao Jing, Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhou Zhencheng, Deputy Director of visa office Xiang Shan and representative from ICCI and ACEP.

"Pakistan's future lies in East with China," remarked Azam Khan Swati while speaking on the occasion as chief guest. He stressed the need for enhancing relations with China on all fronts saying that the Chinese government, business community as well as people have great respect for Pakistan and are interested in enhancing bilateral relations.

Swati was of the view that science and technology was engine of economy and stressed the need for developing Science and Technology Ministry in Pakistan in line with the relevant ministry in China for the better future of country. In his address, Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said although there were some security concerns in Pakistan, however, the government was fully co-operating with Chinese companies and providing conducive atmosphere for them to do business in the country.

He also highlighted the importance of enhancing trade relations between the two countries for mutual benefit. He said that Pakistan was very much interested in enhancing the economic relations with China adding that President Zardari has made four visits to China for seeking co-operation to build Pakistan's economy on sustainable and long-term basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Prime Minister on Water and Agriculture Dr Kamal Majeed said that the current government has signed several Memorandums of Understanding with China which are all operational. He deplored that about 600 MoUs were signed between the two countries during past 60 years, which failed to bring results as they were not followed and thereby implemented.

He said China has agreed to provide Pakistan hybrid technology for enhancing its per acre yield for better future of the country and save it from food and water scarcity. He said that once the technology was operational in Pakistan, it would make the country self-sufficient in food for years to come.

Earlier, in his welcome address, ICCI President Mian Shaukat Masood had expressed the hope that trade volume between Pakistan and China would reach to $15 billion by 2011 which during the last financial year was $7 billion. He said that trade balance between the two counties was in favour of China and stressed the need for making win-win situation for both the counties in bilateral trade.

He said that Pakistan intends to exports several products to China including mango, surgical instruments and leather products however said that there were some hurdles in doing so. He said that Pakistan's mango was considered best mango of the world but it failed to reach Chinese market due to certain restrictions which he said needed to be removed.

[Neo]

Pakistan-China friendship spans strategic, defence areas: Gilani

* PM opens ‘Chinese Cultural Week-2009’ to mark China’s 60th Independence Day
* Says ZAB laid foundation of Sino-Pak friendship
* Cultural shows, films captivate audience

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Friendship between China and Pakistan is unique and multi-dimensional as it spans a vast spectrum of political, strategic, defence, cultural, economic and trade areas.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed these views before inaugurating ‘Chinese Cultural Week- 2009’ in connection with 60th independence anniversary of People’s Republic of China.

Embassy of China in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) organised a week showcasing Chinese culture, the opening ceremony of which was held in front of an invited audience that included a few diplomats here at National Art gallery (NAG).

Gilani said Pakistan had untiringly built this ‘ideal relationship’ with China over five decades. “Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En Lai, together with late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, laid the foundations of our all-weather friendship, which was further cemented by Benazir Bhutto,” he said.

“It is a great pleasure for me to be present today in this impressive gathering to inaugurate the photographic exhibition to mark 60 years of Pak-China relations and an exhibition of Chinese customs to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,” Gilani added.

The prime minister said, “I would like to extend, on behalf of people of Pakistan, our warmest felicitations to our Chinese friends on this auspicious occasion,” he said.

He said in addition to strong bilateral relations, Pakistan and China had a common worldview on a host of issues, ranging from Taiwan, Tibet, human rights to a fair and just global order.

“Our friendship is based on complete trust, mutual understanding and shared aspirations for peace and progress,” he said adding China was a factor of stability in the region. “Together we will continue our common endeavours for building a better future for our people and promoting international peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador H E Lou Zhoaohui spoke of China’s friendship and the strong ties that exist between peoples of the two countries. “Pakistan is a great nation with a long history,” he said.

He said the two countries shared common views on many world issues, which was a manifestation of the understanding that existed between them.

DG Tauqir Nasir, officials of Culture Ministry and Chinese Embassy, diplomats, foreigners, and students turned up to attend the inaugural ceremony.

The main attraction at the ongoing Chinese cultural week was a photograph exhibition in Gallery 1, titled ‘Chinese Martial Customs’. ‘60 years of Bilateral Relations between China and Pakistan’ showcased how different Chinese ethnic groups coexisted.

Beautiful photographs of natural and manmade beauty are very interesting and give visitors a glimpse of Chinese lifestyle. It provides a living record of China’s ancient history and the development of the Chinese people, both past and present. The exhibition also highlights ancient civilization of Gandhara, Harappa, and Indus Valley.

In gallery 2, a photographic display titled ‘A Kaleidoscope of China’ showed difference phases of China’s economic development.

Earlier, a group dance by girls in Chinese traditional attire, a magic show, aerobic shows and singing on jingle tunes enthralled the crowd. The magic show and aerobics with candles, flowers and riding on one wheel cycle made audience spellbound for a moment.

The Chinese Embassy set up a number of stalls of traditional Chinese dresses, paintings, calligraphy, knotting, and handmade paintings, sketches and drawings to promote Chinese culture and traditions.

Today (Tuesday), a Chinese movie titled ‘House of Flying Daggers’ will be screened at NAG auditorium while feature films titled ‘Country Wedding’ and ‘Li Mi Conjecture’ will be screened tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday respectively.

[Neo]

Seminar on China-Pakistan economic cooperation held in Islamabad

www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-27

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Officials and businessmen from China and Pakistan held a seminar on economic cooperation here Saturday as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Pakistani Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui attended the seminar, which was held in the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

In his welcome speech, ICCI President Mian Shaukat Masud said that China is Pakistan's strategic partner and time-tested friend as the two countries' bilateral ties are based on mutual interests and unanimity of views on regional and international issues.

"These close relations are strongly supplemented and supported by peoples of both countries. People and the government of Pakistan have great regard for the Chinese nation and the government, which has always stood with Pakistan at all difficult times," he said.

Chairman of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Pakistan (ACEP) Cao Ye said that Chinese businessmen are all over Pakistan and they are making a lot of contributions to Pakistan's economic development.

He expressed the hope that the seminar would provide an opportunity for both Chinese and Pakistani businessmen to explore ways for further economic cooperation.

Ambassador Luo said that he is glad to see the first seminar of this kind co-organized by the ICCI and the ACEP. He hoped that the seminar would find a mechanism for Chinese enterprises to do business in Islamabad and other places in Pakistan.

Swati said that in the past 30 years, China brought a lot of changes to the east which should be shared by the people and the government of Pakistan.

"With this we're celebrating the 60th anniversary of the great Chinese nation. I salute to it from the core of my heart," he said.

During the one-day seminar, Pakistani officials from different departments introduced incentives of investing in Pakistan and the country's tax policy for foreign companies and investors. Representatives from some Chinese companies also shared their experiences of doing business in Pakistan.

[Neo]

Pakistan issues postage stamp to mark 60th anniversary of new China

English_Xinhua 2009-10-01

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani government issued acommemorative postage stamp of five rupees here on Thursday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Pakistani Federal Minister for Postal Services Nawabzada Mir Israr Ullah Khan Zehri and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan unveiled the stamp issued by the Pakistan Post at its headquarters in Islamabad.

Zehri said that Pak-China friendship spans over half a century and is imbued by a high degree of trust and commonality of interests.

"The all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of time and has prospered notwithstanding changes in the international, regional and domestic environment," he said, adding "the four visits of President Asif Ali Zardari to China in less than a year is a testament to our growing multifaceted cooperation."

Luo Zhaohui, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, said that Sino-Pakistan relations are time-tested and multi-dimensional. He said that the Chinese people and the government always remember what Pakistan had done for them when most western countries were trying to isolate China.

The Chinese ambassador said that Pakistan was the first Muslim country to establish diplomatic relations with China and took the bold step of being the first non-socialist country sign an Air Services Agreement with China, which is greatly appreciated by the Chinese people and the government.

Luo said that he was confident that the Sino-Pakistan friendship, which is "higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the Arabian sea and sweeter than honey," would be further enhanced through the two countries' cooperation in all the fields.

[A1Kaid]

‘Pakistan, China one on regional, world issues’


Sunday, October 04, 2009


By Asim Yasin

Pres. Zardari's previous state visit to China, 2009

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said Pakistan and China were closely coordinating with each other on issues like terrorism, international financial crisis, reforms of the United Nations and on many other issues of concern to the region and the world.

“We have a common worldview and also believe that China is a factor of stability in the region and together we will continue our common efforts for building a better future for our people, and promoting international peace, stability and prosperity,” he said while addressing a function in connection with celebrations of the 60th National Day of China at the Presidency.

It was first time that the National Day of China was celebrated at the Presidency, which was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, services chiefs, federal ministers, Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui and senior officials.

President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani also cut the cake to celebrate the National Day of China. Former foreign minister of China Li Zhaoxing was the chief guest. A Chinese cultural show was also presented on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, President Zardari said Pakistan would always remember China’s support to it at all times.

He said the world admires the progress achieved by China during the past two decades as its economy is now the third largest in the world and is growing further. “It is a measure of the vision and dedication of its leadership and the hard work of its people,” he added.

The president said Pakistan, indeed the whole world, has a lot to learn from the Chinese experience and model. “That is why I have decided to visit China every three months to learn from its model and also to push forward our new initiatives in areas of agriculture, building of dams and telecommunication,” he added.

The president said he has already paid four visits to China in last one year and has been inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people, and the vision of its leaders.

He said there is so much to learn from the Chinese economic and development miracle, and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of agriculture, education, communications, energy and industry. “We will continue to learn and benefit from it. I believe that there is so much more we can do,” he added.

He said half of China is closer to Pakistani ports than from any other port. “This geo-strategic reality alone has opened unlimited possibilities of cooperation,” he added.

He said there is great promise to translate our political relationship into deeper economic relationship as well. “There is so much to do to further enhance economic and trade ties. We will do,” he added.

Zardari said Pakistan values its friendship with China, as strengthening of cooperation with China is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He said the friendship between the people of China and Pakistan has a long history. “I am proud to say that the foundations of our friendship were laid by Pakistan’s first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” he added.

The president said he saw China and Pakistan not only as neighbours, but also as natural partners and friends. “It was his vision that saw the star of China rising on the horizon and it was his vision that saw this star rising and rising,” he added.

The president said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto even sent his children Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto to China to learn about the Chinese society and people. “In her writings and speeches Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir had recalled the fond memories of her month-long visit to China,” he added.

The president told the gathering that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in his memories had recalled how Prime Minister Chou Enlai treated her with great respect and discussed international politics with her even though she was a student at the time.

He said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was also inspired by the same vision as when she first became the prime minister she announced that the country which she will first visit officially will be no other but China.

The president said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto maintained the tradition of this special relationship with China, taking it to new heights. “Walking in the footsteps of my father-in-law I too sent my children Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari and Assefa Bhutto Zardari to China on the eve of Beijing Olympics last year,” he added.

He said the vision of Pak-China friendship of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also shared by Chairman Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Chou Enlai and that is why over the past five decades we have built strong partnership in many areas. “In all these years, Pakistan has firmly remained on the side of the people of China in their forward march,” he added.

He said the Karakoram Highway and the Gwadar deep sea port are just two symbols of our deep relations in all fields, including defence, communications, trade, industry, education and technology. “The leadership and people of both Pakistan and China honour the vision and contributions of their leaders to this day,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, former foreign minister of China Li Zhaoxing said China has always considered Pakistan as its strategic ally and would continue to work towards further strengthening this relationship in all sectors.

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=24839

[A1Kaid]

Pakistani president hosts reception to mark new China's 60th anniversary


English_Xinhua 2009-10-04 09:23:41


Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari speaks during a reception held by the Pakistani government to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Pepole's Republic of China in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Oct. 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Li Jingchen)

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday hosted a reception at the president house here to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Zhaoxing were present at the reception.

In his speech, Li said, "it is such a pleasure to celebrate the60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China together with Pakistani friends, who take the Chinese National Dayas their own."

"I have been to this beautiful country many times. It is always like homecoming. Today also happens to be Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a traditionally day of family reunion, the joy and kinship found in Islamabad make us feel at home indeed," he added.

Li, former Chinese foreign minister, also recalled the long-time support and assistance from Pakistan.

"We will never forget that it was Pakistan and the vast majority of the developing countries that spoke out in the name of justice, gathered support from all quarters and played an important role in restoring New China's lawful seat in the United Nations," he said.

Li said that China will never forget Pakistan's firm support over years on issues affecting China's core interests on China's Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, and precious coordination on major international matters.

He said that China is proud to have a great friend like Pakistan and is honored to provide assistance to the best of its ability to contribute a little bit to Pakistan's development.

Zardari, in his speech, said that Pakistan values its friendship with China and strengthening of cooperation with China is one of the key principles guiding the country's foreign policy.

"Together we would continue our common efforts for building a better future for our people, and promoting international peace, stability and prosperity," he said.

Zardari said that Pakistan and China have closely coordinated with each other on issues like terrorism, international financial crisis, reforms of the United Nations and on many other issues of concern to the region and the world.

"Pakistan, indeed the whole world, has a lot to learn from the Chinese experience and model," he said.

Zardari said that there is so much to learn from China's economic development miracle, and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of agriculture, education, communications, energy and industry.

"The Karakoram Highway and the Gwadar deep sea port are just two symbols of our deep relations in all fields," he said.

Zardari said that he was proud to say that Pakistan-China friendship is rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and Pakistan will always remember China's support at all times.

Zardari, Gilani and Li cut a cake to mark the 60th anniversary of New China.

Also present at the reception were Pakistan's Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek, federal ministers, parliamentarians, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, and a large number of Chinese living and working in Pakistan.

Chinese troupes from Hubei and Tianjin performed dances, songs and acrobatics at the reception.



Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, former Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani (L-R) cut a cake during a reception held by the Pakistani government to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Pepole's Republic of China in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Oct. 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Jingchen)

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_12179015.htm

[A1Kaid]

Pakistan, Chinese leadership to cooperate in trade, defence


Monday, October 12, 2009



Ambassador to China says PM’s visit to bolster bilateral ties trade, defence and energy sectors

BEIJING: Pakistan and China will explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation in various areas including the trade, defence and energy sectors.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will arrive in Beijing today (Monday) on a four-day visit to China, Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan told a press conference on Sunday.

Khan said the main purpose of Gilani’s was to attend the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

He told reporters that in his meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, Gilani would discuss the possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, investment, trade and people-to-people relations.

Both sides will examine ways to minimize the adverse impact of the international financial crisis and would also coordinate their positions on UN reforms, climate change and international trade.

Khan said Gilani would also meet Wu Bangguo, chairman of China’s National People's Congress.

He would address the SCO Council of Heads of Government and attend a banquet hosted by Premier Wen Jiabao in honour of the delegates attending the meeting.

Founded in 2001, SCO is a regional organisation focusing on security, confidence building, and economic development. Its members are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, with Tajikistan. Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia have observer status.

Pakistan is an integral part of the geographical footprints of the SCO neighbourhood.

Khan said the country would “like to be a full member”, emphasising that Gilani's participation in the SCO meeting in Beijing would give an opportunity to share the challenges faced by Pakistan in the form of militancy and terrorism and for bringing stability to the region.

He said Gilani would also highlight that regional peace and social stability were prerequisite and essential for economic development and collective prosperity of the region.

The ambassador said Pakistan supported the ‘one-China policy’ and would continue to oppose any attempts to undermine China's unity and territorial integrity.

In the recent past, Pakistan had supported China's policy towards ethnic harmony and social stability in Xinjiang, Ambassador Khan observed.

China, he said, had always expressed its full support for Pakistan's efforts to preserve its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and expressed appreciation for Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan and China oppose the forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism and cooperate with each other to eliminate these threats," Khan said. app

Source: Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[Neo]

Pakistan for greater defence cooperation with China

Tuesday, 13 Oct, 2009

BEIJING: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for greater cooperation between defence industries of Pakistan and China as an important step to fortify the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.

He said this in a meeting with Chen Qiufa, Administrator of China’s State Administration for Science, Technology & Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) who led a delegation of Chinese defence-related companies.

Gilani said Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with China and wanted to further expand and promote cooperation particularly in defence production. He said collaboration in defence production would develop a mutual understanding and trust.

Pakistan was interested in production of defence-related equipment and setting up local overhauling facilities and invited Chinese companies to invest for joint ventures.

Chen Qiufa, who is also the deputy minister of China’s Ministry of Industry and Informatization, deliberated on various areas of defence collaborations and called for reviewing the mechanism of Joint Committee on Defence Technology Cooperation.

Later talking to APP, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said the meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing defence-related projects between the two countries.

He said Pakistan has close and extensive partnership with China in defence, space technology and peaceful cooperation in nuclear industry.

He said the Chinese government wants to make Pakistan self-reliant in the field of defence, adding that the meeting also discussed progress of cooperation in JF-17 Thunder Project, Al Khalid tank, F-22 frigates, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), aircraft and naval ships.

Other topics that came under discussion included establishment of more working groups under the joint committee to study and find out strategic fields for cooperation, and joint projects in aviation industry, shipbuilding and technology industry.

The companies that comprised the delegation included China’s Poly Technologies - a defence manufacturing company dealing with missile technology, Aviation Industries Corporation of China (AVIC), China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) and China North Industry Corporation (NORINCO).—APP

[A1Kaid]

Originally Posted by Neo

Pakistan for greater defence cooperation with China

Tuesday, 13 Oct, 2009

BEIJING: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for greater cooperation between defence industries of Pakistan and China as an important step to fortify the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.

He said this in a meeting with Chen Qiufa, Administrator of China’s State Administration for Science, Technology & Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) who led a delegation of Chinese defence-related companies.

Gilani said Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with China and wanted to further expand and promote cooperation particularly in defence production. He said collaboration in defence production would develop a mutual understanding and trust.

Pakistan was interested in production of defence-related equipment and setting up local overhauling facilities and invited Chinese companies to invest for joint ventures.

Chen Qiufa, who is also the deputy minister of China’s Ministry of Industry and Informatization, deliberated on various areas of defence collaborations and called for reviewing the mechanism of Joint Committee on Defence Technology Cooperation.

Later talking to APP, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said the meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing defence-related projects between the two countries.

He said Pakistan has close and extensive partnership with China in defence, space technology and peaceful cooperation in nuclear industry.

He said the Chinese government wants to make Pakistan self-reliant in the field of defence, adding that the meeting also discussed progress of cooperation in JF-17 Thunder Project, Al Khalid tank, F-22 frigates, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), aircraft and naval ships.

Other topics that came under discussion included establishment of more working groups under the joint committee to study and find out strategic fields for cooperation, and joint projects in aviation industry, shipbuilding and technology industry.

The companies that comprised the delegation included China’s Poly Technologies - a defence manufacturing company dealing with missile technology, Aviation Industries Corporation of China (AVIC), China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) and China North Industry Corporation (NORINCO).—APP

As of now I encourage Pakistan and China to both bolster and cooperate in the military fields of covert & spy technology, intelligence gathering, weaponized drones (i.e. Predator), and work on building our missile defense shield.


We are already cooperating in air craft & avionics and other military and war machines, though a greater emphasis must be put on covert and stealth technology.

Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Moscow, and in her speech to students of Moscow University she suggested both the US and Russia cooperate on a missile defense shield for their individual country. She was also suggesting the dangers of a nuclear Iran and how a nuclear Iran is a threat to the "World" (meaning Europe, Eurasia, US, western countries...).

I see an interesting development here, whether Clinton's proposal materializes or not, I strongly encourage Pakistan and China to cooperate on a sophisticated missile defense shield. Other nations such as Turkey ought to be encouraged and welcomed in joining both Pakistan and China.

Both Pakistan and China must develop a MDS in order to defend from current and future rogue nations.

BEIJING: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for greater cooperation between defence industries of Pakistan and China as an important step to fortify the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.

Well at least he's doing something right here, credit to him. It's good to know the PM also sees the importance of expanding and strengthening ties with China, and isn't being lackadaisical about the partnership, being steadfast is key here...

He said the Chinese government wants to make Pakistan self-reliant in the field of defence, adding that the meeting also discussed progress of cooperation in JF-17 Thunder Project, Al Khalid tank, F-22 frigates, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), aircraft and naval ships.

AWACS are a necessity for our air defense, though with AWACS must come a sophisticated missile defense shield. If a Nuclear war is ever brought upon a sophisticated MDS which can defend the nation against incoming attack nuclear-tipped missiles, will be priceless. This is a mandatory defense asset we must require within 10 years time, by my conjecture.