PM Gilani’s successful visit signifies enhanced Pak-China trust: Masood Khan
By Shahid Saleem Khan
BEIJING, May 22 (APP) Terming recent visit of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to China as very successful, Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan Sunday said it sent a clear message to the world that the two countries have a strong strategic relationship, with enhanced level of mutual trust. “The world got a clear message that whatever changes come in the global political affairs, it cannot affect the strong and strategic partnership that existed between Pakistan and China for the last 60 years,” Ambassador Masood Khan told APP in special interview on Sunday.
He said in the backdrop of the recent killing of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden in a unilateral Abbottabad operation by the United States, the visit had gained special significance, with special interest by the international community.
The Ambassador, however, maintained that the Chinese leadership not only supported Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy, but besides reiterating its commitment to fully cooperate also called upon the world to acknowledge Pakistan’s huge sacrifices and help the country.
He said the Chinese leadership urged the world that since the danger of terrorism did not end with the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the international community instead of doubting Pakistan’s sincerity, needs to join hands and cooperate with the country to eliminate this menace.
Ambassador Khan said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao assured Prime Minister Gilani of the all out support of China to Pakistan in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture, defence etc.
He said since the visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Pak-China diplomatic ties, Gilani was given company by the Chinese leadership in most of the events including the special reception, which was also attended by China’s ruling party.
Besides, the Prime Minister during his visit also addressed the World Cultural Forum at Shanghai, he said, adding, the invitation from China to PM Gilani for addressing the Form highlighted the importance China gives to Pakistan.
The Prime Minister was also provided a rare honor and opportunity to address the students at Peking University, where Gilani interacted with the Chinese students and gave them a message that it were the youth who have to hold the flag and take the historic and strong Pak-China friendship forward.
Gilani also addressed the inaugural session of Pakistan-China Entrepreneur Forum, agreed between the two leaders during the visit of Premier Wen to Pakistan in late 2010, which was also a testimony of the commitment from both sides to further strengthen the trade and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Khan was confident that the current volume of bilateral trade at $ 9 billion will go upto $ 15 billion in the next 3 to 4 years.
He, however, added that with a potential of $ 50 billion to $ 100 billion trade as well as the strong intent and desire from both sides, there was a need to take measures to achieve the heights that truly commensurate with the level of strong ties.
Ambassador Khan said, the Chinese leadership also assured the Pakistani leader to sending purchase missions from China to help the country achieve economic stability.
To a question he said China also desires to help Pakistan address its energy crisis and in this the two sides have agreed on the formation of a joint energy mechanism, which will focus on all means of energy including hydro, nuclear, wind, etc.
A meeting of the working groups, already established for this joint mechanism, will soon be held in Beijing, he added.