China wants long term strategic ties with Pakistan: Chinese envoy.

ISLAMABAD , 07 May , 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- China and Pakistan had unique friendly and time-tested relations which were further strengthening with the passage of time while establishing a long term strategic relationship with Pakistan was on top priorities of China. These views were expressed by Mr. Lou Zhaohui, Ambassador of China to Pakistan while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said China shared 600 kilometre common border with Pakistan due to which two countries had many similarities in their civilizations and cultures which brought us further closer. He said Pakistan was the 1st country in South Asia that signed FTA with China to further deepen bilateral trade and economic relations. He said China always helped Pakistan in need of hour whether it was to overcome banks deposits problems, AJK earthquake, Pakistan satellite program etc. Chinese Ambassador said over 60 Chinese companies were in Pakistan, 122 Chinese projects were going on over here while about 10,000 Chinese engineers were working in Pakistan which showed Chinas commitment to make Pakistans economy stronger. He said China was also interested in enhancing cooperation in hydro electricity projects, agriculture sector and other areas with Pakistan. He said China wanted an economically strong and prosperous Pakistan for further expanding economic relations. China also highly appreciated Pakistans unconditional support to it on all important matters. He said during three trips of President Asif Ali Zardari to China, lot of agreements and MoUs were signed to take our bilateral relations to further heights. He invited Pakistani businessmen to increasingly participate in Kashgar and other Trade Fairs held in China from time to time for exploring new opportunities of enhancing bilateral trade and investment. In his welcome address, Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said China was Pakistans strategic partner and our relations were based on mutual trust and unanimity of views on important regional and international issues. These close relations were strongly supplemented and supported by the people and businessmen of both the countries. The friendly cooperation between Pakistan and China was a model of good neighbourly relations based on the principles of peaceful co-existence. He said the annual trade between the two countries surpassed 7 billion dollars during 2008 and Pakistan wanted to take this figure up to $15 billion dollars by 2011. However, the balance of trade between the two countries was heavily tilted in favour of China, which required to be turned into a win-win situation for both the countries. He said China was emerging as a significant exporter of capital and investing in many countries and Pakistan was keen to offer its economic potential for investment in the physical infrastructure, energy, exploration of minerals, oil & gas, cooperation in telecom, manufacturing, textiles, infrastructure development, information and communication technology, engineering and financial services, real estate and raw materials etc. that could provide transfer of technology and helped the country become a knowledge-based economy. Exchange of business delegations and holding of single country exhibitions could boost the bilateral trade. These marketing tools needed to be studied by the Chambers and the diplomatic missions of the two countries, he added. He said people-to-people contacts and exchange of students will give further boost to our friendly relations between the two countries. He suggested for issuance of long term business visas to regular Pakistani businessmen with China.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)