- President shows interest in ambitious CSA-STEP initiative
China’s Minister for Science and Technology Dr Wan Gang along with Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain on Saturday called on President Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
On the occasion, Dr Wan offered to cooperate in all sectors where Pakistan needed support including maritime industry, biodiversity, renewable energy, establishment of joint scientific labs for the young scientists and working together for the climate change for benefit of entire humanity.
Speaking with the delegation, President Mamnoon said that the use of modern technology in the CPEC-related energy projects would alleviate the energy crisis in Pakistan and play a key role in it’s long-term growth. He said that the bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology was progressing well.
He hoped that the decisions taken during this visit would further enhance the cooperation in this important area. “We are also interested in benefitting from China’s ambitious China-South Asian Countries Science and Technology Partnership Programme (CSA-STEP) and enhance our economic cooperation through technology transfer,” he added.
He noted that with satisfaction that 17 protocols had been concluded so far in accordance with the Framework Agreement on Science and Technology, signed between the two countries in 1976 and the 18th Protocol was being signed during this visit. He said that Pakistan and China were strategic partners and good neighbours.
He said that the friendship with China was the cornerstone of their foreign policy and bilateral strategic partnership served as an anchor for regional peace and stability. He emphasised to maintain the momentum of high-level bilateral exchanges and enhance people-to-people interaction.
He underscored that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the latest example of their excellent economic cooperation. Scientific knowledge and technology could bring value addition to the CPEC projects, he said, adding they were keen to incorporate this knowledge in industry for value addition of local raw materials and finished products.
The president said that Pakistan would continue to focus on further enhancing trade relations with China to bring them at par with bilateral political and strategic relations. Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
