ISLAMABAD: China on Monday reaffirmed its continuing support to Pakistan in its fight against militancy and for the promotion of regional peace and stability.
The assurance came during President Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with Chinese Vice premier and State Councillor Meng Jianzhu at the Presidency on Monday. The president thanked China for its support to Pakistan on all issues of major concern to the country and its people.
Pakistan and China on Monday night also signed a number of agreements for economic and technical cooperation, the supply of relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and the rehabilitation of some damaged parts of the National Highways networks, at a special was witnessed by President Zardari, State Councilor of China Meng Jianzhu, federal ministers, governor and chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan and members of the visiting Chinese delegation.
Agreements signed involved about $250 million in Chinese assistance and took place soon after the meetings between the Chinese State Councilor and the president. Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said in two rounds of talks at the Presidency, matters that came under discussion included Pak-China relations, mutual cooperation, the regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh.
The president said Pakistan at present was passing through a critical phase, battling to rid the country of the curse of the militant mindset and to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure and rehabilitate the flood-devastated people who had lost everything in successive calamities.
While discussing the regional situation with Meng Jianzhu, the president said Pakistan greatly appreciated China’s support to Pakistan on all issues of major concern. He said China was a source of stability for the region and was very important in ushering in a new era of peace and stability in the region. He said that in these hard times when the country was grappling with many challenges simultaneously, Chinese assistance was most welcome in stabilising the situation.
The president thanked the Chinese government for sending a consignment of 7000 tents. He said that the displaced people required hundred of thousands of tents and Pakistan looked forward to China’s assistance in the areas of shelter and health.
Meng Jianzhu thanked President Zardari for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and assured continued Chinese support to Pakistan on all issues of concern to the people of Pakistan and Pak government.
Later the president also hosted a dinner for the Chinese dignitary and his delegation that was also attended by federal ministers and senior officials. Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister Zhou Qing, Assistant Minister Chneg Guoping and Li Wei, DG MFA and former Ambassador Luo Zhaohui and other senior officials attended the dinner.
The Pakistan side included Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Chairperson BISP Ms Farzana Raja, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan and other senior officials.
Meanwhile, Meng Jianzhu also called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), says an ISPR press release on Monday. Both leaders discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests and the emerging geo-strategic situation of the region.
The visiting dignitary appreciated the role played by the armed forces of Pakistan in the fight against terror. The CJCSC on the occasion highlighted the converging interests of Pakistan and China, both in the areas of security and economics.
NNI adds: Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu has said his country will stand by Pakistan “in any hour of need.”
Talking to newsmen after his arrival here on Monday, he said that the Sino-Pak friendship is time test and all weather. The Chinese vice premier said his country would stand by Pakistan during this critical juncture.
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik received the honourable guest at the Chaklala Airport. The Chinese leader also met the military leadership in Rawalpindi. He will have a breakfast meeting with Interior Minister Malik on Tuesday while Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha will call on the guest at a luncheon.
The Chinese leader will leave for his homeland after having a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. Analysts are attaching more importance to this visit in the backdrop of US threats to Pakistan regarding alleged ties with the Haqqani network.
Online adds: The Chinese vice prime minister said, “We are celebrating 2011 as a year of friendship following the completion of 60 years of friendship between China and Pakistan. I have come to Pakistan to further improve ties”, he maintained.
I really don’t know despite of all support from China why our leaders always look towards USA :frusty:
