Pakistan-China Strategic Ties help Regional Peace, Stability
By Maria Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said the strategic relationship between Pakistan and China was a source of strength for the two countries and it was contributing towards regional peace and stability.

He was talking to Wang Chao, Assistant Minister of Commerce and Trade of China who called on him here at the Prime Minister House this afternoon.

The Chinese Minister is currently visiting Pakistan along with a 40-member delegation representing 16 Chinese companies to explore investment opportunities and to expand the economic cooperation.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and China enjoy a broad-based relationship and actively cooperating in political, diplomatic, social, economic and defence fields.

“Pakistan accords high priority to its close relations with China and is keen to expand these in all sectors”, he added.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan considers China’s economic growth and tremendous transformation as a great model of growth, peace and prosperity.

“It is a source of pride and strength for the developing world and especially Pakistan”, he added.

Talking of economic cooperation, the Prime Minister said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China has a strategic importance for Pakistan. This FTA, he said, has economic and political significance.

It will open up new avenues to enhance trade between Pakistan and China which will further strengthen the bilateral ties, he added.

“Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement has translated the historic relations between Pakistan and China into tangible economic cooperation to the advantage of Pakistan “, the Prime Minister said.

He said while the government is facilitating trade between Pakistan and China, the private sectors of the two countries need to make efforts to tap the potential of enhanced trade prospects.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to increase the frequency of airline flights between Pakistan and China.

The Chinese Minister expressed keenness to increase economic relations with Pakistan and said the Chinese government has earmarked an amount of US $ 200 million for import of goods from Pakistan which is likely to increase further.

He said China is particularly interested in buying cotton yarn & fabric, chromium ore, agricultural products, granite, marble and leather products from Pakistan.

He said Chinese imports from Pakistan have doubled during the last few years and presently Chinese projects worth US $ 40 billion are at various stages of implementation. Gwadar Port, Chashma nuclear power project, Sandak project serve as role models, he added.

Wang Chao while appreciating economic development and high growth in Pakistan said the economic stability has created increased opportunities for Chinese investment in Pakistan.

He said China wants to expand Hair-Ruba Special Economic Zone since it is encouraging Chinese companies to invest in this Zone.

Wang Chao said China attaches high importance to its relations with Pakistan which have stood test of time and it is heartening to note that the leadership of the two countries is making efforts to increase bilateral, political, social and economic relations between Pakistan and China.

Wang Chao thanked the Pakistan government for providing security to Chinese nationals and facilitating them in every possible way.

The meeting was attended by Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Luo Chaohui and senior officials.

Co-operation in Health Sector

Meanwhile, according to another report, Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance co-operation in health sector, especially in filed of traditional medicine.

Both the countries have also reached on an agreement to benefit from each other’s expertise and exercises in areas of health.

The agreement was reached in Islamabad at a high level meeting between Pakistan’s Health Minster Mohammad Nasir Khan and Vice Health Minster of China, Wang Guoqiang.

During the meeting Mohammed Nasir Khan briefed Chinese delegate about efforts being taken by Pakistan Government to ensure better health facilities to the masses in the country.

Chinese delegation expressed interest in investing in pharmaceutical sector in Pakistan and also collaborating in production of vaccines for prevention of deadly diseases of children.

Establishment of University of Traditional Medicine in Pakistan with Chinese support did also come under consideration. In addition both sides agreed to designate focal points in the health ministries.

Dr Nasir Khan told Pakistan Government has increased budget for health sector in order to provide better disease treatment and was keen to extend cooperation with China.

Later, addressing a joint media conference with the Chinese Vice health Minister, the Federal Health Minister said Pakistan and China share long term friendship, we are committed to take it further and intend to share information on health issues with each other. “There is need to translate excellent collaboration into concrete programmes for the benefit of the people of the two countries”, he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese Government for providing anti-malaria drugs for flood affected people. He said that the meeting between the two ministers was a follow -up to the visit of President General Pervez Mushrraf to China last year when an MOU on Health co-operation was signed.

“Pakistan is interested in training of its Health officials from China to ensure better treatment facilities”, he added. Health Minister said that Pakistan also wants to benefit from China’s traditional medicine practices and intends to strengthen co-operation for surveillance of diseases. “Pakistan and China’s Health departments will be in contact to oversee the progress”, he continued.

Meanwhile, Vice Health Minster of China Wang Guoqiang said that his visit will boost coordination in health sector between the two neighbors and exchange of information would be very much give productive.●