BEIJING :Pakistan and China on Wednesday signed eleven agreements, MoUs and protocols to enhance bilateral co-operation on sound footing in diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology.
The signing ceremony held, at the Great Hall of the People here, was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao after an hour long one-on-one interaction between the two leaders and two-hours long delegation level talks.
The two presidents will issue a joint statement (Thursday) reflecting their resolve and commitment to carry the bilateral relations and co-operation to new heights. President Hu Jintao hosted a banquet in honour of the President and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People after the delegations level parleys and agreements-signing ceremony.
Earlier both sides agreed to strengthen strategic partnership in all dimensions, reinvigorate the multi-faceted bilateral relations, intensify economic co-operation and foster people to people contacts in the coming years. The two leaders and their delegations had wide-ranging discussions in warm and friendly atmosphere characteristic of long-standing ties between the two countries, Pakistan's Ambassador in China Masood Khan told the media persons after the signing ceremony.
The talks emphasised upon retrieving the economic co-operation on strong footing in multi dimensions in line with the mutuality of interests and convergence of views in this regard. The importance of President's engagements on Wednesday is also marked by his threadbare interactions with the heads and chief executives of major Chinese companies operating in different sectors including banking, steel, mineral, cement, trade and other important segments of the economy.
The President' visit to China has a special significance not only as President Zardari's first official visit abroad, but also as the first interaction between Pakistan's newly elected democratic leadership and China's fourth Generation leadership that has overseen China's dramatic economic development and progress.
Meanwhile, heads and Chief Executives of major financial, industrial and investment institutions of China Wednesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the State Guest House and showed keen interest for further investment in diverse fields in Pakistan.
Those who called on the President representing important Chinese institutions included China International Capital Corporation (CICC), Export and Import Bank of China (Exim Bank), Sinoma Group (Tianjin Cement and CMBC), MCC (Steel Construction Company), All China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
During the meetings, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi, foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan Ambassador in China Masood Khan and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
During the interaction with the President, the heads of Chinese institutions discussed the present level of Pak-China co-operation in different sectors, which is reflective of deep-rooted bilateral relations between the two countries.
They evinced keen interest and willingness in enhancing the existing level of co-operation in important sectors of the economy including infrastructure, banking and financial sector, agriculture, cement, steel and industry.
Talking to the Pakistani media the Chairman CICC, Levin Zhu described his interaction with the President very fruitful. He said Pak-China ties are of immense importance for the mutual advantages in different economic fields. As a financial institution, he said "we can help promote co-operation in the financial sector of Pakistan. He expressed confidence that existing co-operation will not only continue but will also grow in future.
CHINESE INVESTORS OFFERED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT: President Asif Ali Zardari offered special preferential treatment to the Chinese investors in Pakistan, urging them to invest in Pakistan and take advantage of the country's geo-strategic location.
"With a well-placed geographical location, Pakistan has to offer you the investor-friendly environment, laws and legislation, human capital and other resources", the President told a luncheon meeting with over 200 top Chinese corporate executives here at the State Guest House.
President Zardari said his first state visit to China was reflective of the deep-rooted, strong and historic 40 years ties with the two countries, which were pioneered by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and carried forward by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
Taking pride of the fact that it was the PPP and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who established relations with China ", the President said Pakistan needed further Chinese investment in various fields for the mutual benefit of the two friendly countries.
President Zardari said Pakistan shares the pride and considers China 's success in various fields as its own, adding, China by holding successful Olympics told the world how strong it was.
He stressed that Pakistan provides ample opportunities of investment in diverse fields including trade, industry, financial services, banking, energy, construction, real estate, tourism, etc and the Chinese companies can are welcomed to invest in any field to help develop the country's untapped potential.
President Zardari said with half of the world population living in China and Saarc countries, the increased Sino-Pak co-operation in all spheres of life and economy can help bring development and prosperity in the region. "With other countries interested to tap the trade potential of Pakistan, we offer the Chinese companies and entrepreneurs access to warm waters and beyond", he added.
The President said Pakistan located at the confluence of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East and a vast coastline provides a trade and energy corridor to many regional countries and China can take the lead in this respect for the mutual benefit.
Zardari said Pakistan having a lot of investment potential in various fields the development of Pakistan and China can go together. "Let us work together for mutual benefit and development of region", he added. The President mentioned hydro power, coal energy, tourism etc as the particular areas of co-operation between Pakistan and China and called upon the Chinese companies and investors to exploit the potential of these fields.
He said with other countries of the world and region taking keen interest in these areas, Pakistan will prefer Chinese entrepreneurs to come and invest in the country. The President assured all facilities to Chinese investors and said the government will establish a special cell for the creation of Pak-China industrial and economic zones across the country including the coastal areas.
Pakistan's Ambassador to China Masood Khan and Vice Chairman Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Huang Meng Fu in their introductory remarks highlighted the strong, deep-rooted, strategic and historic bonds that exist between Pakistan and China.
They also highlighted the ever-growing co-operation between the two friendly countries in diverse fields including trade and economy and stressed for further strengthening these ties for the mutual benefit of Pakistan and China. The members of President's entourage including the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Environment, Advisors to PM on Finance and Interior, PPP's Secretary General Jahangir Badr and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, President Zardari had a pre-lunch meeting with Vice Chairman Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Huang Meng Fu and discussed the prospects of enhanced investment in Pakistan in various fields.
CDB GOVERNOR CALLS ON ZARDARI: Governor China Development Bank (CDB), Chen Yuan called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the state guest house on Wednesday and discussed the prospects of trade and investment in various fields in Pakistan.
He assured the President of CDB's all out assistance and support to the public and private sector for the socio-economic development of Pakistan, particularly the development of infrastructure, to cater to the needs of growing economy.
President Zardari appreciated the CDB's support to Pakistan and hoped that the bank will continue to extend its assistance for Pakistan's development efforts. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Advisor to PM on Interior Rehman Malik, Advisor to PM on Finance and Economic Affairs Shaukat Tareen and senior Pakistani officials were present in the meeting.
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