BEIJING:Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and his Chinese counterpart Premier Wen Jiabao met here on Friday and vowed to further consolidate the Pakistan-China strategic partnership, with the main aim of promoting and safeguarding the fundamental interests of their peoples. The meeting, which lasted about half-an-hour, took place at the official residence of the Chinese Premier on the sidelines of Beijing Olympics was formally opened this afternoon.
“It was a most cordial, fruitful and productive meeting,” said a Chinese official while talking to APP. The two sides reiterated their firm resolve to carry forward the decades-old close and time-tested friendship between the two countries for their mutual benefits.
In opening remarks, Chinese Premier warmly welcomed Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani for personally visiting China on the historic occasion of the Beijing Olympics. This fully reflects the close association of the two countries both at the levels of their peoples and the governments.
He said the two countries are all-weather friends and their friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples.
The Chinese Premier particularly mentioned the support extended by the people and government of Pakistan to make the mega sports event successful. He also expressed his deep gratitude to Pakistan for most valuable assistance provided to the victims of recent devastating earthquake in China, in shape of tents, blankets and medicines.
“This was a true reflection of the love and affection the peoples of the two countries have for each other. The assistance of the Pakistani nation in the wake of the earthquake speaks high of their close and time-tested friendship,” he said.
Wen Jiabao further said Pakistan and China are close neighbours and enjoy strong bonds of friendship. They successfully carried forward their ever-green friendship, under all adversities. They stood by each other through thick and thin and proved wroth of their friendship, meeting common challenges at regional and international levels.
Premier Wen Jiabao stated that his country attached great importance and priority to its friendship and strategic cooperation with Pakistan, which he said was in the interest of both the countries and regional stability.
China wishes to enhance and further strengthen its multi-dimensional relations with Pakistan.
The Chinese Premier agreed with the Prime Minister for enhancement of people to people contacts and the existing cultural ties.
He noted that economic cooperation between the two countries had flourished after signing the Free Trade Agreement and both countries were now also focusing on cooperation in science and technological fields.
He expressed the resolve to further strengthen the cooperation in all fields specially in defence, economic and financial sectors.
The Chinese Premier thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s timely support and assistance provided in the wake of Sichuan earthquake and noted that the Prime Minister of Pakistan was the first foreign leader to call him to express his solicitude and support.
Premier Wen Jiabao expressed complete support of his government to the new democratic government in Pakistan.
He happily noted that there was complete consensus among the people and all the political parties of Pakistan on strengthening the relations with China.
He wished the success of Pakistani athletes during the Beijing Olympics competitions.
The Chinese Premier also invited Prime Minister Gilani to attend ASEM Summit in October 2008 and pay a bilateral visit coinciding with the Summit.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani reciprocating the warm and brotherly sentiments of his Chinese counterpart said that the government and the people of Pakistan are proud of their friendship with China.
At the outset, he thanked the Chinese government for inviting him and extending warm hospitality on the eve of the Beijing Olympics.
He expressed his strong resolve that the time-tested Pak-China friendship will come up to the expectations of their peoples who share common values and aspirations and are determined to work together, meeting various challenges, particularly for peace and well-being of their people.
Prime Minister Gilani said it was a great honour for him to visit China, representing the government and the people of Pakistan on the occasion of the mammoth sports event hosted by the jubilant Chinese nation.
The Prime Minister congratulated the leadership and people of China on successfully arranging the mega event like 29th Olympics and said that people of Pakistan shared the joy and pride of their Chinese friends on this landmark achievement.
He also lauded the great national socio economic accomplishments of the Chinese people under their able leadership.
The Prime Minister condoled the loss of life and damage to the property in May Sichuan earthquake with the leadership and people of China and commended the resilience, courage and commitment of the Chinese leadership and people in the face of such adversity.
He underlined the fact that founder of Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the architect of Pak-China friendship, which were further strengthened during the two terms of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s government.
He thanked the Communist Party of China for the warm welcome accorded to Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party on his visit to China for his participation in the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics.
The Prime Minister termed China as true friend of Pakistan and stated that it was all weather and time tested friendship and his government and party wish to further strengthen our multifaceted relations particularly in economic, trade, investment and defence fields.
He urged greater participation by the Chinese corporations in Pakistan’s economic development and hoped that both sides would be able to finalize and sign the Free Trade Agreement in services later this year.
While thanking China for their assistance in Chashma I and II nuclear power plants the Prime Minister expressed the hope that other projects in pipeline in this field would soon materialize.
He thanked the Chinese government for its assistance and support in important projects like KKH up-gradation, Heavy Mechanical Complex Taxila, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, Gwadar Port, Mangla Dam de-silting and raising, Bhasha Dam, JF-17 Aircraft and Naval Frigates.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that cooperation will further develop in the defence, nuclear power, banking and financial fields.
Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani recalled that his father visited China in 1956 as a member of the first constituent Assembly.
No comments:
Post a Comment