Pak-China Friendship Growing from Strength to Strength: Kasuri
'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Desk

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri underlining the importance of the strategic relationship between Pakistan and China said Tuesday that the friendship between the two countries had stood the test of time.

He was talking to the visiting Assistant Foreign Minister of China Cui Tiankai who called on him here at the foreign office today.

Foreign Minister Kasuri observed that Pakistan-China friendship, which spans over half a century, is imbued by a high degree of trust and commonality of interests and was growing from strength to strength.

He expressed satisfaction over the expanding cooperation in diverse fields, particularly economic cooperation which has received impetus in the wake of recent operationalisation of FTA, establishment of a Joint Investment Company, a Framework Agreement on Developing Economic Complementarities between Pakistan and China.

Both countries were working to increase their bilateral trade to US $ 15 billion in the next five years. Important projects including Gwadar and expansion of Karakuram Highway and JF-17 were shining examples of Pak-China collaboration.

The Foreign Minister said the launching of Haier-Ruba Economic Zone would go a long way in encouraging Chinese investment and joint ventures.

Expressing deep sense of sorrow over a recent incident in which three Chinese nationals were killed in Peshawar, Foreign Minister said that the government of Pakistan was investigating the matter and has adopted additional security measures for the security of Chinese nationals.

Both sides noted with satisfaction that an MoU has been signed between the Chinese Embassy and Ministry of Interior in this regard.

The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister thanked the Foreign Minister for the support and cooperation extended by the government of Pakistan in the wake of recent incidents involving Chinese nationals.

He also conveyed condolences of the Chinese side over the casualties suffered by Pakistan security personnel while providing protection to Chinese nationals.

Cui Tiankai described Pakistan-China relationship as “all weather friendship” and said that the ongoing strategic cooperation between the two countries will be enhanced in future and that the Chinese leadership was committed to further strengthening strategic relationship between the two countries.●