Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi has expressed the hope that with the joint efforts of Pakistan and China, the goal of increasing trade volume to over US $15 billion would be achieved and the business ties would continue to grow.
In an interview with APP ahead of his visit to Islamabad that started on Friday, the Foreign Minister said that China and Pakistan "are partners for mutually beneficial economic co-operation." China, he said, greatly values its business co-operation with Pakistan and in recent years, continuous progress has been made in business and investment co-operation.
"Pakistan is the first country in South Asia that signed a Free Trade Agreement with China," he pointed out. The China-Pakistan Joint Investment Company, China's first overseas financial co-operation institution, has also started operation.
"I believe that with our joint efforts, the goal of increasing our trade volume to over US $15 billion will be achieved and our business ties will continue to forge ahead." Jiechi said: "Over the years, Pakistan has given firm support to China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues that are crucial to China's core interests."
He said the Olympic torch relay that took place in Islamabad was a "great success." The event not only promoted the Olympic spirit, but also showed to the world the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, Jiechi said. "I am convinced that with the support of Pakistan and the entire international community, the Beijing Olympic Games will be a crowning success," he said.
He said that Pakistan had also played "a major and constructive role" in advancing the peace process with India and promoting regional co-operation in South Asia, thus making positive contribution to peace and development in the sub-region.
Regarding Pakistan's role in Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), the Chinese Foreign Minister said that as an observer in the SCO, Pakistan has actively participated in its activities in all fields.
"As an all-weather friend of Pakistan, we welcome Pakistan's desire to play a bigger role in the SCO," he said. Jiechi said that the admission of new members needs to be discussed and decided by all SCO members.
About China's contribution in South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc), Jiechi said: "As a friendly neighbour of South Asian countries, China is ready to have dialogue and practical co-operation with Saarc on the basis of respect for the aspirations of Saarc members, equality, mutual trust and co-operation for win-win results, and play a constructive role in promoting Saarc co-operation."
The Chinese Foreign Minister said he would hold meetings with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and leaders of Pakistan's major political parties.
"We will exchange views on how to strengthen the China-Pakistan strategic partnership and promote the friendly co-operation between the two countries in various areas," he said. He said the visit was part of the friendly exchanges between China and Pakistan since the new government of the two countries took office.
Referring to the recent visit of President Pervez Musharraf to China, Jiechi said the visit added new dimensions to China-Pakistan co-operation and deepened the strategic partnership between the two countries. "China applauds the results of the visit," he observed.