'China eager to use Pakistan as energy corridor'

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said on Tuesday his country was giving active consideration to the idea of using Pakistan as energy corridor and strengthening their communication links for common socio-economic uplift.
Talking to a visiting Pakistan's youth delegation at the Chinese Ministry Foreign Affairs, he hoped that Gwadar deep seaport could provide an easy communication link to China for transportation of crude oil from the Middle East and other regions.
"We will make their best efforts developing and promoting the Gwadar port as hub of economic activities between the two countries," he said adding China attaches great importance to its co-operation with Pakistan in the energy sector.
Wu Dawei referred to the on-going joint ventures in energy sector, including the China's support to Pakistan in setting up nuclear power plants.
Welcoming the visit of the Youth delegation, the Minister hoped that it would help to carry forward their model State-to-State relationship as well as to maintain existing exemplary trust and goodwill at the people-to-people level.
Lauding the Sino-Pak traditional relationship, the Minister further said this stood the test of time, meeting the common aspirations of their people and successfully handling issues of common concern at regional and international levels.
Wu Dawei recalled Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's trip to Pakistan in April, 2005 and subsequently President Pervez Musharaf's State visit to China February this year and said this laid strong foundation to reinforce their co-operative partnership in various sectors.
He underlined the importance of exchanges of visits at the levels of youth, students, businessmen and the civil servants and said Pakistani educated and skilled people will be welcomed to find job and business opportunities in China.
Earlier, the leader of Pakistan delegation, Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs, Saleem Mahmood Saleem expressed thanked to the Chinese leadership and the people for their consistent support to Pakistan on various issues. He also appreciated China's active role in Pakistan's socio-economic development.