China will stand by Pakistan under all circumstances whatsoever to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while maintaining existing strong bonds of their strategic partnership. The assurance to this effect was re-conveyed by the Chinese leaders to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during his visit to Beijing that concluded on Saturday, said Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan.
Commenting on the out-come of the visit, he said that it was both symbolic and substantial in nature that helped to reinforce strong commitment of the two countries to push forward their decades' old relationship, as strong time-tested traditional allies in the region.
Prime Minister Gilani during his interactions with the Chinese leadership, particularly Premier Wen jiabao and Chairman CPPCC Jia Qingling received strong indications that China will continue to help Pakistan to meet new challenges, in the wake of terrorism and financial crisis.
China gave a very encouraging response to help Pakistan overcoming its financial difficulties by various means. Besides giving direct financial help in term of soft loan, Chinese leadership will encourage its top-level business corporations to make more investment in Pakistan. In this context, Chinese Banks may shift their deposits to Pakistan allocated for various projects. It may be mentioned here China Mobile has already shown its willingness to bring massive investment in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gilani also conveyed Pakistan's deep interest in collaboration with China for the construction of small and medium seize dam, hydel power generation, infrastructure development, energy and coal development, banking and financial co-operation. The Prime Minister was confident that in the coming days and months the bilateral economic ties will grow further to the mutual benefits of their countries.
It was for the first time that Pakistan participated at the summit meeting at the level of a head of the government, after its formal admission in Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2006. Premier Wen Jiabao has been very keen in Pakistan's presence at the summit and he warmly received Prime Minister Gilani when he arrived to attend the opening session of the ASEM at the Great Hall of the People.
While addressing the Summit meeting, Prime Minister effectively highlighted Pakistan's perception on the prevailing situation in developing countries including Pakistan that were hard affected in the wake of global financial crisis. In his address at the summits plenary session, the Prime Minister emphasised that the international community should be more forthcoming to assist Pakistan fighting terrorism and to eradicate poverty.
The concern of the PM in regard to the economic situation in the developing countries was fully endorsed by many leaders, most particularly Premier Wen Jiabao, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the British Foreign Secretary David Milliband. While responding to Prime Minister Gilani's concerns on the issue of terrorism, host of the world leaders recognised the enormous sacrifices rendered by Pakistani people and the troops in their efforts to root it out.
Prime Minister Gilani thanked the international community for their support, hoping they would come up with necessary financial assistance as well to meet these challenges. The ASEM leaders adopted three documents during the Summit proceedings, the most important of which was the "Statement on the International Financial Situation". Other documents endorsed by the Summit were "China's Statement" issued by China as the host and "Beijing Declaration of Sustainable Development".
Pakistan's initiative to hold a seminar on Euro-Asia Land Bridge was endorsed by the Summit that was meant to highlight country's geo-strategic position as a link between Europe and Asia. There were five clusters during Prime Minister Gilani's engagements ie his active participation in the ASEM summit, holding sideline bilateral meetings, dialogue with Chinese top business leaders, laying foundation stone of Pakistan-China Friendship and Cultural Complex, and his interaction with the Media, including China Central Television and China Radio International.
During his meeting with Chinese leaders, both Pakistan and China emphasised implementation of the agreements, signed during the visit of President Zardari in letter and spirit. Prime Minister Gilani's proposal was well received by the Chinese side that there will be more exchanges of visits between the two countries at the level of youth and parliamentarians. The leadership of both the countries paid special emphasis on Chinese investment in Pakistan and raising bilateral trade to $15 billion by the year 2011 or earlier.
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