China reiterates continuing support for Pakistan

Beijing reiterated on Monday its unequivocal support to Islamabad for its sovereignty, with Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu conveying to the Pakistani leadership that his country recognised the important role of Pakistan in regional peace.
“The Chinese leader reaffirmed his country’s continuing support to Pakistan in its fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability,” said Farhatullah Babar, spokesman for President Asif Ali Zardari. An official told Pakistan Today that China was fully supportive of Pakistan and recognised Islamabad’s contribution to the war on terrorism, besides understanding the situation it was faced with in the aftermath of recent developments in the region.
Though the visit of the Chinese deputy prime minister to Pakistan had been scheduled long before the tension between the US and Pakistan escalated, it is being seen in the context of the security situation and recent developments. To reiterate their cooperation, Pakistan and China also signed a number of agreements in economic and technical cooperation, relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of some damaged parts of the National Highways networks at a special ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, attended by President Zardari, Jianzhu, federal ministers and members of the visiting Chinese delegation. The agreements signed included around $250 million in Chinese assistance.
Babar said that during two rounds of talks at the Presidency, matters concerning Sino-Pak relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh came under discussion. President Zardari said Pakistan greatly appreciated China’s support to Pakistan on all issues of major concern. He said the Chinese role – being the source of stability for the region – was very important to usher in a new era of peace and stability. Jianzhu thanked the president for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and assured continued Chinese support for Pakistan in all areas of concern to the government and people of Pakistan. The president said Pakistan was currently passing through a critical phase where it was battling to purge the country of militant mindsets on the one hand, and to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure and rehabilitate the devastated people who lost everything in successive natural calamities, on the other.
WYNE: Jianzhu later called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wyne. He appreciated the role played by the armed forces of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Gen Wyne highlighted the converging interests of Pakistan and China in the security and economic arenas.