Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar called on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here on Wednesday. Hina Rabbani Khar is on her first visit to China since assuming her office last month. Premier Wen welcomed the Pakistan's Foreign Minister to China and said that the Foreign Minister's decision to make her first official visit to China reflected her commitment to further strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
He said the time-tested and all-weather friendship between the two countries was founded on the common principles of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect. Foreign Minister Khar said the Pakistan-China relationship was without parallel in the world of inter-state relations. The two countries enjoyed complete convergence of interest on all bilateral issues as well as international issues of mutual importance.
She thanked China for its invaluable assistance in helping Pakistan achieving its economic and development goals. The Chinese Premier expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's unwavering support on issues of China's core interests such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Premier Wen recalled with fond memories his visit to Pakistan in December last year, saying the warm hospitality he received from the people of Pakistan had touched him deeply.
Premier Wen reiterated China's unconditional support to Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also renewed China's commitment to help Pakistan's post-flood reconstruction efforts. According to Xinhua, Wen reaffirmed China's support for Pakistan's efforts in preserving national stability and promoting social and economic development.
He called on the two sides to promote the sustainable development of the Pakistani economy and to expand co-operation in trade, investment and technology. The Foreign Minister said China's principled and forthright expressions of support for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts had been a source of strength to the people of Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. The two leaders had detailed discussions, which covered the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang extended a very warm welcome to Foreign Minister Khar on her first visit to China since assuming office last month. Hina Khar stated that her decision to make China the destination of first bilateral visit as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan was reflective of the unique ties that exist between the two countries. It also demonstrated the importance she attached to pushing forward the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
The Chinese Foreign Minister described Pakistan-China friendship as an exemplary relationship of perfect trust and co-operation between two developing countries. He appreciated Pakistan's firm and consistent support to China on its core issues namely Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Foreign Minister Yang reiterated China's support for Pakistan's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said China recognised the efforts and sacrifices being made by Pakistan in the global struggle against terrorism. The two Foreign Ministers vowed to work together to rid the region of terrorism and extremism.
Foreign Minister Khar stated that Pakistan would continue to work closely with China against terrorism, extremism and separatism, which posed a serious threat to our values and social harmony. The two leaders noted with satisfaction that there was growing co-operation between the two countries across a broad range of areas. They agreed that there was potential for expanding the economic dimension of the bilateral relationship. In this regard, they decided to focus on closer co-operation in key areas including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, communication, finance and banking.
The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to consult each other on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Yang, according to Xinhua news, hailed the China-Pakistan relationship as a "high-quality strategic co-operative partnership," saying the two countries are close neighbours and have forged an all-weather friendship.
Yang said China will continue to stand by Pakistan in safeguarding its national stability and developing its economy. Yang said this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan as well as the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship, which generates new opportunities for bilateral relations.
China is willing to take the opportunities to work with Pakistan in elevating the two countries' strategic cooperative partnership, he added. Khar said developing friendly relations with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and that the government and all sectors of society agree on cementing the two countries' traditional friendship.
The government of Pakistan firmly adheres to the one-China policy and continues to support China on issues regarding its core interests, she said. Khar thanked China for its support to Pakistan in social and economic construction. She said Pakistan hopes to make joint efforts with China to enhance co-operation in various fields, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and finance, and to further promote the strategic cooperative partnership of Pakistan and China. Yang and Khar also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
Addressing representatives of the leading think tanks, top corporate leaders and senior media persons here at the Pakistan Embassy this evening, Foreign Minister Khar said that Pakistan, China relations are unique and withstood with test of the time adding though the world faced many challenges and changing environment, but our resolve to cooperate with each other remained unshaken.
She said that the foundation of this solid relations was laid by founder Chairman of Pakistan People Party Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the success governments in both the countries continued to strengthen these bonds. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, the foreign minister said, visits after every quarter and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also paid many visits.
She said that this is her first visit as Foreign Minister to China. The year 2011, she said has significance as both the countries are celebrating it as the 60th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan China Friendship. About Pakistan's pivotal role on counter terrorism, she said that "our counter terrorism efforts are shining example" adding it is our resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism at all cost.
The ETIM (East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement) she said are common enemies, and both the countries have firm resolve to eliminate the menace. She pointed out that our economic co-operation is not commensurate with our political relations adding that the present government has taken this as a challenge. Both the countries responded positive way to address it and in this regard she referred to the co-operation in banking, energy and other sectors.
Khar said that the instrument of Free Trade Agreement being used for the benefit of the two countries, adding that we have bilateral trade to the tune of $8.7 billion and in coming years we will easily achieve the target of $15 billion. We are looking for currency swap arrangements, the ICBC has opened its branches in Pakistan, Joint Investment Company is working well, she added.
The construction of KKH (Karakarrum Highway) and Gwadar port are the shining examples of Pakistan China Friendship. The present government, she said attaching importance to youth and cultural activities and this year both sides exchanged youth delegations. The Chinese language is being taught in many educational institutions and Confucius Institute also working in Pakistan, she noted. She also spoke about Pakistan relations with Afghanistan and India adding that Pakistan wants good neighbourly relations with both these countries to ensure peace and stability in the region.
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