Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's upcoming visit to China will be highly significant in further cementing Sino-Pak bilateral ties and enhancing economic co-operation besides helping to ease energy crisis in Pakistan, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said here on Monday.
"The government and the people of China are looking forward to the visit of PM Nawaz Sharif which is likely to lead to comprehensive co-operation in all fields of their common interest especially energy, infrastructure, agriculture and people to people contact," he said while briefing the local medial on Nawaz Sharif's visit to China, here at the Chinese Embassy.
Certainly, energy will be on top of agenda during the talks between PM Nawaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. Following the talks, the two sides are likely to sign an agreement on energy co-operation. The Ambassador informed that Chinese companies and enterprises were interesting to resolve and ease that problem by investing in hydro, wind, solar, wind and bio-mass power projects.
Expressing his confidence that the visit will be highly fruitful and productive, he said the visit would give further boost to the economic and trade relationship. The visit will send a positive signal to the outside world and the people of the two countries in regard to their deep-rooted decades' old brotherly relationship, which is a unique example in nation-to-nation interaction.
Sun Weidong said that during his stay in Beijing, Sharif would discuss with the Chinese leadership plans for reinforcing bilateral strategic partnership, enhancing economic co-operation and development of Pakistan-China trade and economic corridor. Shedding more light on importance of Pak-China relations in the backdrop of PM's visit, he said his country attached great importance to that visit and wished it help keep high the momentum of their comprehensive partnership.
"China considers Pakistan as its iron friend and wishes to help it coming out its economic crisis," the Ambassador said, adding his country appreciated Nawaz Sharif for choosing China for his first foreign tour that signified the closeness and warmth which characterises Pak-China relations. He said a number of proposals and initiatives would be discussed during the PM's visit to strengthen their ties at all levels.
He said traditionally close, cordial, co-operative and friendly ties between the two countries were based on shared principles and mutual interests entailing co-operation in diverse fields. "We are confident that the visit will provide further impetus to enhancing the existing Pak-China strategic partnership which is also a source of peace, stability, prosperity in the region," the ambassador added.
To a question, the Ambassador appreciated Pakistan's role on counter-terrorism and said the two countries had been carrying out joint efforts to curb terrorism and extremism which were common enemies of both the countries. "We appreciate the measures being taken by Pakistan government to safeguard and protect Chinese people and companies in Pakistan," he added.
To yet another question about increase in trade volume, he said, presently the trade volume was about 12 billion dollars which was not big enough keeping in view the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. He said China had free trade agreement with Pakistan which was only country in South East Asia. Sun Weidong, who took over his new assignment just 20 days back, said he found great potential and depth in further development of their bilateral ties. "Our hearts beat together and all segments of society in the two countries are on the same page, keeping the momentum of the relationship high under all circumstances."