Pakistan attaches great importance to ties with China: PM

Islamabad:Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relationship with China which is time-tested and beneficial to both the countries.

The Prime Minister was talking to a six-member Chinese delegation led by China’s visiting Deputy Chief of General Staff, General Ma Xiaotian who called on him here and held in-depth discussions on matters of bilateral interests.

Prime Minister Raja Ashraf said Pakistan was grateful to its Chinese friends for their assistance in undertaking development projects in Pakistan.He said, “We are proud of our excellent relations with People Republic of China with whom we have a strategic partnership”. Our cooperation with China on regional and international fora is exemplary, he added.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is resolute in its commitment to fight terrorism and expressed his confidence that we would be successful in rooting out this scourge.He said, “Political situation in Pakistan has stabilized and as we approach elections, parliamentary democracy is taking roots in the country.” Referring to his recent visit to China, the Prime Minister said he held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Tianjin, on the sidelines of the Word Economic Forum. He said he had thanked the Chinese Premier for expediting dispatch of equipment and machinery for work on Attabad Lake and widening of Karakorum Highway. The equipment and machinery has reached Pakistan, he added.

General Ma conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Prime Minister of China to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Congratulating Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on his successful visit to China, he said the Friendship between China and Pakistan is of strategic significance.

He expressed confidence that with the passage of time these relations would deepen further.

The General said that Pakistan-China relations are unique in nature though both countries have different history, culture and ideology they have excellent relations as they are based on strong political foundations, strategic interest and mutual respect for each other.

These relations are an example for the rest of the world. “Our strategic relationship is consistent with our need for socio-economic development,” he added.

He said the friendly relations with Pakistan are backed by our social economic and cultural cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education and health.

The General thanked Pakistan for its unflinching support to China on all international fora and assured of China’s continued support to Pakistan.

He also informed the Prime Minister about his discussions with Pakistani military leadership and expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between the two armed forces. This cooperation, he said, included high level exchanges, training programmes and information sharing, he added.

Referring to the efforts of Pakistan and its role in fight against terrorism he said that “Pakistan had made enormous sacrifices and its contribution deserve recognition by international community”.

The General expressed the confidence that Pakistan would over come this challenge of terrorism which will lead to national stability and accelerated socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan respects China’s territorial integrity.He expressed confidence that the present visit of Chinese military delegation would further enhance the existing relations between two countries and cooperation in all areas.He asked the General to convey his best wishes to Prime Minister of China and the people of People’s republic of China.

The Chinese general was accompanied by Liu Jian, Ambassador of China and other senior officers.

General Khalid Shameem Wyne, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and senior officials were present during the meeting.