ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will hold formal talks on Friday, covering wide ranging topics of bilateral interest to expand decade-old relationship, with focus on their growing economic partnership.
The talks at the Prime Minister House will be followed by signing of about 20 agreements and memorandums of understandings (MoUs) in areas of economy, energy and communication. Prime Minister Wen will arrive here on Friday (December 17) on a three-day official visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Gilani.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian said that leadership of Pakistan and China would hold wide ranging discussions to draw a five-year blueprint to expand their economic and trade relations. This will be the second visit of the Chinese prime minister to Pakistan during which he will hold talks with the Pakistani leadership.
Prime Minister Wen will be leading a large business delegation. The delegation comprising more than 250 business leaders will attend a business summit. The MoUs will be signed for promotion of investment, expansion of cooperation in railways, setting up of solar, wind and energy projects and reciprocal establishment of cultural centres.
Two sides are also expected to finalise agreement for a loan to Pakistan for procurement and installation of Non-Intrusive Vehicle X-Ray Inspection System (NVIS). Other agreements will include funding of a safe city project in Islamabad and an MoU for mutual broadcasting of radio programmes.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that both the countries would form an energy working group to enhance cooperation in oil, gas, coal and conventional power sectors. A maritime cooperation agreement will also be signed. Another agreement will be on Chinese assistance for reconstruction in flood-hit areas.
An agreement is also on the cards for Chinese participation in exploration and production of power from the Thar coal reserves. Various Chinese companies have expressed interest in generating electricity from Thar coal reserves.
The cooperation of Pakistan and China goes as far back as 1960s and China immensely helped Pakistan to complete mega projects like Karakorum Highway, Gwadar port, Heavy Mechanical Complex, Heavy Electrical Complex and Chashma nuclear reactor besides dams, hydro electric projects and financial and technical assistance in areas of agriculture, irrigation and mining.
