ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have expressed satisfaction over the current status of bilateral trade and urged the need for more consistent efforts on both sides to boost bilateral trade to $ 15 billion from the current $ 12.4 billion in next two years.
During bilateral talks held here on Wednesday, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang agreed to further boost bilateral relations in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, industry, defence and people to people contacts with special focus on further strengthening economic linkages. The two sides agreed to speed up work on the projects identified under the Five-Year Development Programme and also decided to press ahead with the second phase of negotiations on China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
On the occasion, President Zardari expressed hope that the various MoUs and agreements inked between the two countries in various fields including economy, Science and Technology, Space & Upper Atmosphere communication and energy would give further impetus to the trade and investment ties hence improving the well being of the people of the two countries.
President's spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting decided to start work on the China-Pakistan Agriculture Demonstration Zone and establishing Young Entrepreneurs Forum for this purpose. The two countries have agreed to the holding of annual Pak-China Trade and Investment Forum which will meet alternately in Beijing and Islamabad.
The President said that Pakistan is energy starved country and sought Chinese co-operation to develop hydro, thermal, solar and wind power generation to meet the Pakistan's growing demand of energy. The President also called for opening more branches of Chinese banks in Pakistan and the operationalisation of the currency Swap Arrangement which he said would help bolster trade and business linkages between the two countries. The President while expressing satisfaction over the working of Pak-China Joint Energy Working Group asked for early holding of the third round of the Joint Energy Working Group (JEWG) and said that Pakistan appreciates the interest of Chinese solar and wind companies to invest in these sectors and take advantage of the available opportunities.
The Spokesperson said that the two leaders shared common concerns on terrorism, separatism and extremism and said that it pose serious threats to regional peace, stability and security. They reiterated their resolve to continue co-operation both at bilateral and multilateral levels in combating these evil forces. Li Keqiang said that the government and the people of China recognised and appreciated the huge human and material sacrifices Pakistan had made in the fight against extremism and assured that China will continue to support Pakistan in combating terrorism.
The President said that both China and Pakistan have stood together in upholding the principles of justice, fairness, equity and adherence to UN Charter besides enjoying commonality of view on a wide range of global issues. The Spokesperson said that the President urged the need for improved connectivity between Pakistan and China and the region at large which he said would turn this region into a vibrant trade, energy and economic corridor. Gwadar project is part of the endeavour to improve connectivity and holds great promise to create a regional economic and trade corridor, the President said and termed the twenty first century as the century of Asia. He emphasised the need for joint efforts by all to realise the shared aspiration for the common good of the people of the region.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang thanked the President and government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality and said that Pakistan was an important country in the region and it has made significant contribution to peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large, adding that Pak- China relationship was an excellent example of countries of different social systems living in amity with each other.
Li assured that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in its efforts to uphold independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieving national stability and development. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that he has selected Pakistan for his official visit to show to the international community that China was committed to consolidate its traditional friendship with Pakistan and deepening the strategic co-operation between the two countries, adding that no matter how the international situation may evolve, China-Pakistan will always remain each other's trustworthy partners and reliable brothers.
From Chinese side, the meeting was attended among others by Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xu Shaoshi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Gao Hucheng, Minister of Commerce, Xiao Jie, Deputy Secretary-General of State Council, Song Tao, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Liu Jian, Ambassador of China to Pakistan.
From Pak side, the delegation level meeting was attended among others by Asadullah Khan Mandokhel, Minister of Communication and Ports & Shipping, Maqbool H H Rahimtoola, Minister of Commerce & Textile Industries, Malik Mohammad Habib Khan, Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control, Dr Musadik Malik, Minister of Water & Power, Dr Younis Soomro, Minister of Housing & Works/Minister-in-Waiting, Shahid Amjad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, M Salman Farooqui, Secretary General to the President, Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Foreign Secretary, federal secretaries Economic affairs division, Finance, Ports & Shipping, Interior, Addl secretary Defence, DG, Strategic Plans Division and Masood Khalid, Ambassador of Pakistan to China.