Hu backs Pakistan, India peace process
Rousing welcome awaits Chinese leader in Capital

ISLAMABAD/ NEW DELHI—Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country could help forge peace between South Asian rivals, India and Pakistan. Mr Hu told a meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi, that Beijing sought no “selfish gains” in South Asia.
On Tuesday, Mr Hu and Indian PM Manmohan Singh pledged to double their trade to $40bn (£21bn) a year by 2010. China welcomes and supports improvement in relations between India and Pakistan,” the Press Trust of India quoted Mr Hu telling the meeting of politicians, diplomats and economists in Delhi, a day ahead of his visit to Islamabad.
He said China was prepared to play a “constructive role for the promotion of peace and development in South Asia”. A peaceful and prosperous South Asia was beneficial for the whole world, President Hu said. He also lauded what he said was China and India’s “productive co-operation in many fields”. “Today, both China and India are on the fast track of economic and social development, demonstrating to the world the bright future of the two countries and the promise of a revitalised Asia.” The Chinese president is due to travel to India’s financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), later on Wednesday to continue his push for increased economic ties. Both India and China have produced staggering economic growth in recent years, but India continues to lag behind on many fronts. China has a literacy rate of 95%, compared with India’s 68%. Indian exports of manufactured goods in the financial year ending last March were valued at $71bn, compared with $713bn for China. Chinese’s President Hu Jintao after completing his three day visit in New Delhi will arrive here in Pakistan on a four-day official visit today (Thursday). During his stay Hu Jintao will hold meetings with President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on issues of bilateral relations and to strengthen cooperation in various sectors.
Both the countries will also sign on several agreements to bolster further cooperation in the fields of social, economic, cultural, trade and industry. Chinese President is also schedule to address the Pakistani National in Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad at about 3:00 pm tomorrow (Friday). His address will be telecast live. Meanwhile the Rawalpindi district administration has finalized arrangements for welcoming the Chinese President. According to the Plan chalked out by the district administration, school children with Pakistani and Chinese flags would stand along side the roads to welcome the Chinese President. High-level officers of District Administration besides other political personalities would give warn welcome to President on airport.—Agencies