BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that China may investment in infrastructure particularly in mega energy projects in Pakistan.
The President said this during his meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, which were held separately on the sidelines of the SCO summit here on Thursday . President Zardari proposed the setting up of energy fund for energy related mega projects including the hydro-power projects. He also called upon to activate Joint Energy Working Group between the two countries, which held its second meeting last month to find new ways in this regard.
The two leaders discussed a wide ranging multiple issues relating to regional and international matters and bilateral relations. President Zardari said that Pakistan's ultimate goal is closer economic integration with China .
He said that the trade volume between two countries was on rise as it increased to 10.6 billion $ in 2011 as compared to 8.6 billion in 2010 , which shows an increase of 22%. He hoped that this would be enhanced to 15 billion dollars by 2015
The President said that the opening of ICBC's branches in Pakistan, the Currency Swap Agreement last December and the launching of PAK-SAT 1R Project in August 2011 were significant milestones in bilateral relations. He assured his Chinese counterpart that safety and security of all Chinese working in Pakistan on different projects would be ensured at any cost.
He said that strong relations with China is the keystone of Pakistan's foreign policy, the President said adding that all political parties, state institutions and the people of Pakistan consider China a trust worthy friend and strong strategic ally.
“The government is determined to take the relations in our political, defence, security and economic spheres to 'new heights' and his ninth visit to China was a manifestation of this policy. Pakistan People's Party's strong ties with the Communist Party of China date back to the 1960s under the leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto” Zardari added.
The President appreciated China's help in overcoming the Attabad lake problem in Gilgit -Baltistan. He said that the widening and up-gradation of Karakoram Highway as well as realignment of the segment impacted by the Attabad Lake will further facilitate and enhance trade and people-to-people contacts.
He said Pakistan has worked closely in UN Security Council Reform and Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) and appreciated China's understanding of Pakistan's strategic imperatives in this regard and support for its position.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan strongly opposed any attempts to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated Pakistan's full support to China's core issues including its position on Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. The President said that Pakistan condemned the ETIM and assured China of its fullest cooperation in countering it.
President Zardari mentioned the initiatives taken to revive the dialogue process with India and put in place CBMs like facilitating cross-LOC trade and travel facilitation and said that his visit to India that helped break the ice. We will continue to make determined efforts to keep the resumed dialogue process with India going in right direction, he said.
He said that Pakistan was keen on peace and stability in Afghanistan and fully supported an Afghan led national reconciliation process in that country. He said that the initiation of the China-Pakistan-Afghanistan tripartite dialogue is an important step and said that Pakistan will continue to work closely with China for peace, stability and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan.
The President said that Pakistan was trying to re-negotiate parameters of relationship with the US in the light of Parliamentary recommendations. He said that Pakistan expected respect for its sovereignty and appreciation of its position on the red lines for participation in war against terrorism. The President said that Pakistan will strive to maintain engagement with the US to repair the relationship while upholding sovereignty and national dignity. Online
