ISLAMABAD: High-profile strategic dialogue between Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and the Pakistani leadership will take place in the third week of this month.
The Chinese prime minister will be in Islamabad on a three-day official visit this month. “It will be a milestone in the history of their ever-growing relationship,” diplomatic sources said on Sunday. The sources said Jiabao will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to discuss wide-ranging topics of mutual interest.
The focus of the talks will be on building up a beneficial economic partnership, and ways of having a greater understanding on regional and international affairs. The talks will help deepen strategic cooperation and establish a mechanism for formal and structured dialogue at the ministerial level.
According to sources, arrangements were being made to accord a historic welcome to the Chinese leader when he arrives in Islamabad on December 17. Besides meeting Pakistani leaders, the Chinese prime minister is scheduled to address a joint sitting of parliament.
Ahead of the visit, China agreed to extend co-operation in 36 development projects worth $13.2 billion related to industry, water, energy, agriculture, fisheries and communication to boost economic activity in flood-hit areas of Pakistan.
China during the 14th session of the Pak-China Joint Committee on Economic, Trade Scientific and Technical Cooperation (JEC) held this week has agreed to enhance Pakistani exports to China with the latter providing more tariff relaxation.
The two sides also agreed that Chinese investment in economy, agriculture, electricity, finance, mining and infrastructure would be increased. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Liu Jian, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, said China was ready to work with Pakistan to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary to expand cooperation and to take bilateral relations into new heights. The ambassador said Sino-Pak relations stood the test of time and continued to enjoy stable development in recent years.
Bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, transportation, telecommunications and infrastructure continues to expand and deepen. The Chinese government and people over the years have been providing unselfish and unconditional help and support to Pakistan.
In wake of the great loss of life and property inflicted by the floods that have hit Pakistan since late July, the Chinese government has pledged a total of $250 million humanitarian assistance to Pakistan, the envoy said.
