China sees promising socio-economic partnership with Pakistan

China sees a very promising socio-economic partnership with Pakistan and greater interaction in regional and international affairs for their common development, this was stated here on Monday by Cai Fangbai, Vice Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress.
Addressing 'China Fortune Forum' that was attended by around 100 representatives of prominent Chinese companies, he said the Chinese government, while moving towards economic globalisation wished to strengthen its trade and business links with Pakistan.
The Chinese leadership, he added encouraged their entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan for promoting mutually beneficial co-operative partnership. Pakistan Ambassador Salman Bashir addressing the forum gave a comprehensive presentation on Pakistan's rapid economic growth and reinforcement of Sino-Pak partnership in the recent years. A documentary on investment opportunities in Pakistan was also shown on the occasion.
Cai Fangbai, who is also President of the Association of Former Diplomats in China, spoke highly of the growing Sino-Pak strategic partnership and said their friendship was rooted in the hearts and minds of their people.
"Our friendship withstood test of the time and remained constant over the past five decades, in spite of twists and turns in regional and international arena."
Referring to his visit to Pakistan December last year, he said it provided him an opportunity to personally witness there a favourable and friendly economic environment for the Chinese investors. He hoped that the Chinese entrepreneurs would seize the opportunities further cementing the bonds of traditional friendship.
Cai further said China and Pakistan would continue work together facing common challenges in the regional and international affairs. The two sides visualised a better economic future, while citing the on-going negotiation on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that would provide massive tariff reduction on a number of trade items. The negotiation on the FTA is expected to be finalised by the end of this year.
Ambassador Salman Bashir referred to the recent visit of President Pervez Musharraf to China and said it laid a strong foundation bringing the two countries more closely to each other in all fields of common interest, including trade and energy.
President Musharraf during his visit offered Pakistan's ports and highways to serve as a trade, transit and energy corridor to China. The president, during the visit held detailed discussion with the Chinese leaders about the geo-economic relevance of Pakistan to serve as energy and trade hub.
Both sides agreed to start the technical studies to make this futuristic vision a reality, the ambassador said and hoped, it would lead to establishment of oil and gas pipeline and possible rail link between the two countries. He said, Pakistan-China Energy Forum, scheduled to take place in Islamabad next week would be a step forward to realise the common goals in the energy sector.
Salman Bashir suggested that the two countries should establish special business orientation and facilitation centers to enhance awareness and interaction between their private sectors. The ambassadors of Spain, Indonesia and Korea also spoke on the occasion.