China’s visit to further invigorate multifaceted cooperation between two countries: PM
ISLAMABAD, May 20 (APP)  - Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said that his visit to China would further invigorate the most cordial multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of strategic, defence, intelligence, trade, economic, investment, science and technology, culture, education and people-to-people contacts. The Prime Minister paid a four-day official visit to China to mark the  high point of 60th Anniversary celebrations of establishment of diplomatic relations and commemoration of Pakistan-China year of friendship-2011.
In his arrival statement here, the Prime Minister said the visit aimed at to follow up and implement the decisions taken by the two sides at the leadership level and to break new grounds of collaboration especially in infrastructure, energy, science and technology and agricultural sectors.
He said that during his stay in China he held in-depth and detailed talks with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on various issues and also met State Councilor, Liu Yandong and Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Jia Qinglin.
The Prime Minister said that the Chinese leadership reiterated its forthright, unequivocal and principled support to Pakistan’s stance and strategy on its fight against terrorism in the aftermath of the killing of Osama ben Laden.
He said that the Chinese leadership apprised him that even without Pakistan’s asking, the chinese Vice Premier and State Counselor for Foreign Affairs who attended the recent China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington DC had urged the US to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; recognize Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terror; help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism and support Pakistan in its efforts to implement its anti terror strategy in accordance with its national priorities and conditions.
Prime Minister Gilani said that he reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to China’s core interests including Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
He said that he held fruitful business meetings with the Heads of China EXIM Bank, Bank of China, China Development Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, SASTIND and Chief Executives of China Huadian Group, Orient Group and Three Gorges Dam Project Company.
He said Pakistan and China signed agreements and MoUs on extension of lease of Saindak Copper Mines between Saindak Metals Limited and Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Governments of Pakistan and China under which China will provide a grant of 70 million RMB and amendment to MoU on Crisis Management between China Banking Regulatory Commission and State Bank of Pakistan.
In the context of the 6th Anniversary celebrations,he said, he attended the reception jointly hosted by the Pakistan Embassy and Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and also addressed the inaugural session of Taihu World Cultural Forum in Suzhou; lunched Pakistan-China Entrepreneurs Forum which will serve as a vehicle for promotion of interaction between the corporate leaders of the two countries and addressed the students of Peking University to reach out to the Chinese youth and had very rewarding interactive exchange of views with them to seek to pass on the unique narrative of Pakistan-China friendship to the next generation.
The Prime Minster said besides, RUBA Group of Pakistan signed MoUs with China Huadian Engineering Corporation for setting up an independent power project of 350 MW at Raiwand, Lahore with US$ 400 million and with M/s TBEA Shenyang Transformer Corporation for setting up a joint venture to manufacture transformers and power distribution equipment in Pakistan.
He said three Gorges Dam project company announced its long term plans to produce 10,000 MW of electricity in Pakistan by investing $ 15 billion whereas the Orient Group apprised him of its intention to buy British Petroleum’s assets in Pakistan by investing US $ 700 million.
The Chinese EXIM Bank, the Prime Minister said, assured quick disbursements of its credits for projects in Pakistan in diverse fields. The Bank of China and ICBC pledged to expand their operations in Pakistan, he added.
It was also agreed that Currency Swap Agreement between People’s Bank of China and State Bank of Pakistan and MoUs on Cooperation in Energy, Infrastructure, Railways and Space Cooperation will be finalized in the near future, the Prime Minister said.
He said the Chinese side expressed its willingness to consider Pakistan’s projects for reconstruction of road networks in the flood affected areas and for rehabilitation of agriculture sector affected by the flood for utilization of its pledged assistance of US$ 400 million.