Pakistan and China on Tuesday agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of defense, energy and economy, and resolved to continue cooperation in fight against militancy and terrorism.
A six-member Chinese delegation led by Deputy Chief of General Staff General Ma Xiaotian called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the Prime Minister’s House and held detailed discussions on matters of bilateral interests.
According to an official statement released after the talks, the prime minister praised Pakistan’s bilateral relations and “strategic partnership” with China. “Our cooperation with China on regional and international fora is exemplary,” he added.
Ashraf also thanked China for its help in infrastructure development projects in Pakistan. “We are grateful to our Chinese friends for their assistance in undertaking development projects in Pakistan,” he said. He thanked the Chinese premier for sending equipment and machinery for work on Attabad Lake and widening of Karakorum Highway. The equipment and machinery has reached Pakistan, he confirmed. Referring to his recent visit to China, Ashraf said that he held talks with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at Tianjin, where he participated in the Word Economic Forum meeting.
An official privy to the talks at the Prime Minister’s House said that the Chinese delegation assured the prime minister that it would continue to support Pakistan in the field of defense and economy. “Both sides agreed on enhancing cooperation in various fields with focus on defense and energy,” he said, adding that during the talks, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism.
During the talks, General Ma also praised the strategic friendship between the two countries, and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would further deepen with the passage of time. He said that Pakistan-China relations were an example for the rest of the world. “Our friendly relations with Pakistan are backed by our social, economic and cultural cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education and health.” The general thanked Pakistan for its unflinching support to China on all international fora, and assured the prime minister of China’s continued support to Pakistan.
Referring to the efforts of Pakistan and its role in the fight against terrorism, he said that Pakistan had made enormous sacrifices, adding that its contribution deserves recognition by the international community.
The Chinese delegation also visited the Joint Staff Headquarters at Chaklala, where General Ma called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and discussed mutual cooperation between the armies of the two countries.
According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “the visit of Chinese delegation commences the start of 9th Round of Pak-China Defence and Security Talks, which dilate upon the Defence and Security relations between the two countries.”
General Ma praised the role played by the people and armed forces of Pakistan in fighting terrorism. He reiterated that the cooperation in various fields between the two armed forces would continue with a renewed resolve and commitment towards each other.
A document concerning mutual military cooperation was also signed by the two sides. General Ma and his delegation also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
