New govt to focus strengthening of Pak-China ties for regional stability: FM

ISLAMABAD : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday said the new government would continue focus on improving relations with China, as strong Pakistan-China ties are a guarantee to peace, security and stability in the region. “There is a continued improvement in our ties over the years and the government would continue the tradition of cementing these relations,” the foreign minister told the media team accompanying President Musharraf at the conclusion of his six-day state visit to China.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said there was a deep understanding between the political leadership of the two countries.
“China is a reliable and trustworthy friend and has proved to stand by Pakistan over the years, despite the changes in leadership of two countries,” he said.
He recalled that former Prime Ministers late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave due importance to Pakistan-China ties.
About talks with Chinese leaders, he said both the sides reviewed the whole sphere of relations between the two brotherly countries and expressed satisfaction over the progress, particularly on defence, strategic cooperation other development programs.
He said both the sides were of view that there was a need for translating warmth in their peoples and other spheres into a more meaningful economic interaction.
He said the Chinese foreign minister will be visiting Islamabad from April 25-26 to follow up President’s visit and hold discussions to improve the implementation procedures.
“The people and leadership of China continues to hold Pakistan and its people in high esteem,” he added.
He said during the visit, several new areas were identified where the two countries can have extensive cooperation. He said Pakistan pointed the energy shortage in country as its requirements far outpace the production.
Qureshi said Pakistan was trying to meet its energy shortage through nuclear, hydel, coal fired generation besides utilising alternative sources of power generation.
He said Pakistan has invited China to study various options for generating electricity in Pakistan, particularly through hydel.
He said China can finance Pakistan for the Diamer Bhasha dam as it has the required expertise and experience in handling such large projects.
He said China also has the technology in the coal mining sector and can assist in helping Pakistan develop its Thar coal fields for energy generation.
He said there were several investment opportunities in Pakistan. Pakistan and China have a joint five-year trade and development plan, and under its framework, can invest in Pakistan in several areas.
The Pakistan-China joint investment company was already functional and said President Hu Jintao has also extended his full support in urging the Chinese entrepreneurs invest in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan and China have vast scope in expanding ties in tourism and people-to-people contacts and added that the number of Chinese tourists would increase to one million by 2020.
He said Pakistan has several Buddhist and other sites that can be very attractive for the Chinese tourists.
In the sphere of education the foreign minister said both countries can enhance cooperation and mentioned the five-university consortium that would set up a science and technology university in Islamabad.
He said China has US 1.5 trillion dollars as reserves and together with the liquidity, technology, and strong political ties, there can be a mutually beneficial relationship.
He said Pakistan has also sought support from China in helping in a ship building and repair facility along the Gwadar Port.
The port, he said, would be linked to China through the upgraded Karakoram Highway, with a rail track, fibre optic and oil and gas pipeline along it.
He said Pakistan can also utilize its location as a hub for transit between China, Central Asian Republics, Middle East and Europe and reap the benefits.