BEIJING : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani answering questions during
his Chinese visit has said that recent developments especially the
unilateral action of the United States came under discussion during the
talks and the Chinese leadership assured full support to Pakistan for
protection of its sovereignty and security.
He said in a recent US-Chinese strategic discussion held in the
United States the Chinese side delivered a clear message to the US at
its own that it must understand and appreciate the sacrifices rendered
by Pakistan in the war on terror. It also conveyed the Pakistani
concerns on the recent situation making it clear that there should be
no harm to the Pakistani sovereignty.
The Prime Minister said that China also asked the US to work for
improving its relations with Pakistan keeping in view the present
scenario.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan reassured its position on
its policy of one China and said Pakistan fully supports China on the
issues of Taiwan and Tibet. He said both the sides agreed to continue
their consultations on the UN reforms.
He said both the sides were in agreement to further enhance economic
and trade relations and complete all development projects in Pakistan
underway under the first five years development programme. He said that
it was also decided to work on fast track on the second five year
programme beginning next year. It was also agreed that the dialogue on
the second phase of FTP will be launched soon.
The Prime Minister said that it was also agreed that both the
countries will form a long term joint energy mechanism to work on
generate traditional, non traditional and nuclear energy.
To a question, he said that both the sides also agreed to further
increase defence cooperation and China assured to help Pakistan in
enhancing capacity of all its forces besides improving security.
Regarding relations with other countries, he said Pakistan intends
to have good relations with all its neighbour including India,
Afghanistan and Iran. He said that despite deteriorating law and order
situation in Pakistan its trade volume has been increased with China
significantly and it can achieve the fifteen billion dollars soon. He
said Pakistani exports to China increase by thirty seven percent during
the last year while Chinese exports increased by twenty eight percent.
To a question the Prime Minister said that keeping in view the
latest incident Pakistan will revisit it relations with the United
States. He said it has been decided that in case of presence of high
level target like Osama both United States and Pakistan will joint
operation. He however said that Pakistan has the capability and
capacity to defend its frontiers. He said our armed forces are quiet
vigilant and no such incident will happen in future. He said in the
recent visit of Senator John Kerry the Drone issue was also raised and
Pakistan will continue its efforts to stop these attacks which have
proved to be counter-productive.
He said that any decision to launch operation against terrorists in
North Waziristan will be taken by the political and military leadership.
Briefing media, Pakistani Ambassador to China Masood Khan said that
China has agreed to send a special mission for procurement of Pakistani
goods to enhance its exports to China. He said that ICBC (Chinese
national bank) will open its two branches in Pakistan and our national
bank will also open its branch in China.
He said that China has agreed to provide five hundred scholarships
to Pakistani students. Both the countries also decided to set cultural
centres on both sides to promote cultural cooperation. He said that
China has also decided to operate one thousand eye citric operations of
Pakistani patients in China. SANA
