News
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
China pledges support to Pakistan against militancy* Zardari appreciates China’s support on all issues of major concern
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Vice Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu on Monday said that China stood by Pakistan and reaffirmed his country’s support in fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability.
The Chinese vice prime minister was accorded warm welcome when he arrived at Chaklala Air Base.
Pakistan and China on Monday night signed a number of agreements in economic and technical cooperation, relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of some damaged parts of the National Highways networks.
The agreements were signed at a special ceremony at the Presidency that was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari, Chinese Vice Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu, federal ministers, governor and chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and members of the visiting Chinese delegation.
Agreements signed involved about $250 million of Chinese assistance and took place soon after a meeting between President Zardari and Jianzhu on Monday night.
Spokesperson to the president Farhatullah Babar said that in two rounds of talks in the Presidency matters concerning Pak-China relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh came under discussion.
Those who were present during the delegation-level meeting included Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister Zhou Qing, Assistant Minister Chneg Guoping, former ambassador Luo Zhaohui and other senior officials.
Pakistan side included Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan, Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Pir Karam Ali Shah and Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, BISP Chairperson Farzana Raja, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan and other senior officials. The president thanked China for its support to Pakistan on all issues of major concern to the country and its people. Jianzhu also met Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who brushed aside reporters’ questions on the timing of the visit.
“Let’s not talk USA here. I am here with my friend China,” Malik told reporters. “China is always there for us in the most difficult moments.”
His remarks echo an often-heard line here about Beijing’s attitude toward Islamabad, one that stands in contrast with what officials perceive as a fickle relationship with Washington.
Jianzhu has said his country is proud of its friendly ties with Pakistan, which will be further bolstered up. Malik said China had supported Pakistan at every critical juncture of its history. “We are grateful to it,” he remarked. Sino-Pak friendship is higher than Himalayas and it is inseparable”, he remarked.
Prior to his meetings in Pakistan, Jianzhu said he would discuss ways to “contribute to national security and regional stability” with Pakistani leaders.
The Chinese vice prime minister said, “We are celebrating 2011 as year of friendship following the completion of 60 years of friendship of China and Pakistan. “I have come to Pakistan to further beef up ties”, he maintained.
Jianzhu also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shameem Wynne on Monday. Both the leaders discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests and the emerging geo-strategic situation of the region, said an ISPR press release. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk