Pakistan and China on Friday committed to further strengthen their multi-faceted strategic relationship by enhancing co-operation in space technology, banking, energy and communications. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in their meetings that exceeded the scheduled time, deliberated on a whole range of issues including bilateral matters, regional and international situation and the challenges facing the two countries.
The two leaders also witnessed inking of 13 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in different fields. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira later gave details at a media briefing that the two sides vowed to further strengthen their ties and agreed on building projects ranging from 24 to 30 billion dollars during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Pakistan.
He said China would provide 229 million dollars for flood reconstruction, provision of rice processors, latest technology of cold storage, 10 million dollars as cash compensation for rebuilding of homes of the flood affected people. Besides, he said, China would provide 400 million dollars as soft loan to Pakistan for infrastructure rebuilding in the post flood reconstruction.
He said the Pakistan-China joint Economic Group has identified 36 projects which would be supported by China and are estimated at around 14 billion dollars. He said agreements in other sectors worth 5 billion dollar would also be signed. He expressed the hope that 10 billion dollars agreements would be signed at the business forum on Saturday. Kaira said China vowed to complete widening of the Karakoram Highway on the fast track basis to enhance mutual trade and communications. Referring to the co-operation in energy sector, Kaira said China has pledged to support all energy related projects with Pakistan.
Regarding the civil nuclear co-operation with China, Kaira said Pakistan already was working with China and Premier Wen Jiabao in his talks assured support for coal, wind, hydel and other alternative modes of energy. Ambassador Masood Khan said most of the projects would be completed within five to ten years period. He said work on small dams was already underway and China would support Pakistan in construction of large dams.
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