Pakistan, China in strong bonds of friendship, says Soomro

25 Dec, 2007

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro said that Pakistan and China are knit in a strong bond of friendship, which is stable and consistent. Both neighbour countries, he said, had stood by each other in the past and would continue to do so in future.
The Prime Minister said this while talking to a six-member Chinese Communist Party delegation led by Ai Ping, from the International department of the party, which looks after the foreign relations. The Prime Minister said that all the political parties of Pakistan have a consensus to have close ties with China, which is a time-tested friend.
The interaction between the political parties of both the countries, he said, would further boost the close ties and help better understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The people to people contact, he said, should also focus on our youth which has great potential.
He further said that Pakistan accords high priority to its relationship with China and is keen to expand it in all spheres of life. He said that there is tremendous scope for further development of relations in all the sectors of national life and this co-operation has to be a continuous process.
Soomro further said that China is emerging as a significant exporter of capital and investing in many counties and Pakistan is keen to offer its economic potential for investment in the infrastructure, energy, exploration and other important sectors.
Talking about the economic cooperation, the Prime Minister said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China has a strategic importance for Pakistan. This FTA, he said, has economic and political significance. It will open new avenues to enhance trade between Pakistan and China which will further strengthen the bilateral ties, he added. Pakistan, he said, could serve as a springboard for China to reach the Middle East and beyond.
The Chinese head of delegation said that the government and the people of China always regard Pakistan as their true friend and hoped that existing relations between the two countries would further strengthen in time to come.
He said that China and Pakistan have close cordial links at all levels and the visit of his delegation would further strengthen the relations between the political parties of both the countries. The diversified cooperation, he added, would improve better understanding between the two countries and the people. He apprised the Prime Minister that China with its economic development has been able to reduce poverty, and is ready to share this experience.

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