Rousing welcome awaits Chinese President Hu Jintao in Capital

ISALAMABAD—Hectic preparations are afoot in the Federal capital to give a rousing welcome to Chinese President Hu Jintao on his arrival in Islamabad on Thursday.
Pakistan gives top priority to the visit of the Chinese top-ranking leader, hoping the visit will open a new chapter in bilateral relations of the two countries.
The high-profile State visit, taking place from Nov. 23 to 26 is likely to convey a strong-worded message to the world community, that the two countries are tight with unswerving bonds of friendship, keeping joint stance on various issues of common concern to meet new challenges.
Commenting on the forthcoming visit of the top-ranking Chinese leader, diplomatic sources said here that Hu Jintao’s talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz next week will be highly significant for reinforcement of their strong commitment, working together as traditional allies in all fields of mutual interest.
The talks are expected to give a new turn to their bilateral cooperation, since the two sides wish to lay greater emphasis on their trade and economic ties. The visit will be a continuation of regular consultation and contacts between the two countries at the highest level.
Most recent visit to Pakistan was by Premier Wen Jiabao, during which a landmark “Treaty of Friendship” was signed. This treaty was unanimously endorsed by the Chinese Parliament in June this year, signaling strong commitment of the Chinese people to maintain the momentum of their evergreen friendship in the new century.
Official sources told APP that the friendship treaty reinforced the commitment of the two countries to help each other safeguarding their territorial integrity. Under this treaty, the two countries are bound to work as close allies against any foreign threat.
On May 21, 1951, the two countries officially established their diplomatic relations. Since then, China and Pakistan have witnessed smooth development of friendly and neighborly relations as well as mutually beneficial cooperation.
The forthcoming visit will further push forward their strategic partnership, especially in the economic sector. During the visit, China will sign substantial agreements with Pakistan to push forward economic and trade ties. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China and Pakistan have agreed on market access and “basically wrapped up” negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). The agreement is expected to be signed on November 24.
China and Pakistan have conducted five rounds of negotiations since last April, with the latest round concluding in Beijing on Friday. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and China reached US$4.26 billion last year, up 39 per cent over 2004.
The free trade agreement with Pakistan is expected to cover investment and commodities trade, but details are not known. China-Pakistan FTA talks started last April in Islamabad after Premier Wen Jiabao and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz signed an “early harvest” FTA, under which China would impose agreed tariff rates on 2,244 categories of Pakistani products.—APP