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Saturday, May 25, 2013
‘Chinese PM’s visit conveyed strong message of solidarity’* Foreign secretary says steps taken to expand trade with China to $15bn from present $12.5bn
* Denies presence of Chinese forces in northern areas of country
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Friday said that the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Pakistan was aimed at conveying a strong message of solidarity and to further strengthen bilateral relations in all the fields.
Speaking at the weekly news briefing at Foreign Office, the foreign secretary said the visit was successful and would help strengthen economic and strategic relations between the two countries. He said Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s visit provided an opportunity to discuss entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, and regional and international issues. Jilani said the visit was also significant because it demonstrated the continuity of the strategic partnership Pakistan has with China.
He said it will help solidify the relations, enhance economic, strategic, defence ties and people to people contacts. The foreign secretary said relations between Pakistan and China are robust and “we have convergence of views, mutual trust, geographical proximity and similarity of views on regional and global issues”. Jilani said agreements worth millions of dollars were signed between the two countries during the visit to enhance economic cooperation.
He said at present trade with China is worth $12.5 billion and a number of steps have been taken to expand this to $15 billion by 2015. Giving details of this bilateral trade Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid said the balance of trade is in favour of China. He said Pakistan has $3.2 billion share in this $12.6 billion and efforts are being made to increase Pakistan’s share in this bilateral trade. About trade disputes, Ambassador Khalid said there are complaints and certain issues from both the sides and the embassy has been making efforts to resolve these issues amicably.
Replying to a question, foreign secretary said no new agreement on civil nuclear technology was signed between the two countries. However, he said civil nuclear cooperation with China is an on-going process and it is within the international safeguards. Answering a question regarding cooperation on counter-terrorism and threats to China from terrorists present in Pakistan, he said, “We have repeatedly told our Chinese brothers that we consider any threat to China as a threat to Pakistan and there is some excellent cooperation going on between security agencies of the two countries in this regard.”
He out-rightly rejected presence of any Chinese forces in northern areas of Pakistan. About India-China relations, Jilani said, “We have our own relations with China and China is developing its own relations with India.” He hoped that China-India relations would also help contribute to peace and stability in the region. On energy cooperation, the foreign secretary said Chinese companies are working on several hydro, thermal and wind power projects in Pakistan.
He said it was decided to convene a meeting of Joint Energy Working Group to take stock of the pressing energy requirements of Pakistan and determine as to how this cooperation can move forward in future. Explaining the engagement of China in energy sectors Ambassador Khalid said some of these projects included Guddu Power Project, Kohala Energy Project, Mangla Raising Project, Jimpir Energy Project in Sindh and some other projects.
Referring to signing of a number of agreements and MoUs signed during the visit of Chinese premier in Pakistan, the foreign secretary said these MoUs and agreements will further improve economic and trade relations between the two countries. He said the most important MoU is China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which will help to build infrastructure in the region for further improving trade and economic ties. Jilani also said that “Pakistan formally handed over Gwadar to China during the visit of Chinese premier to Pakistan.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk