China offers trade, defence co-op
From Makhdoom Babar

BEIJING—China has expressed its full readiness to assist Pakistan for the development of energy, mineral and mining sectors, extend cooperation in financial sector and upgrade communication and transportation links. A joint statement issued simultaneously from Beijing and Islamabad at the end of President Pervez Musharraf’s visit said “both sides agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation and enhance collaboration between their respective defence industries.”
The two countries also signed 10 Memoranda of Understanding in various sectors. The communiqu’ stated the resolve expressed by China and Pakistan to optimally utilize the bilateral FTA and to complete the FTA on Trade and Services at the earliest. “China expressed its full support for Pakistan’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s important role in promoting peace, stability and security, and its contribution to counter terrorism.”
Both the sides expressed complete satisfaction on the development of comprehensive cooperation in all fields and agreed to further enhance their ties in economy, trade, science and technology, culture and people to people relations. China also expressed its full support to the efforts of Pakistan to promote socio-economic development and expressed its full readiness to assist Pakistan for development of energy, mineral and mining sectors and extend support for projects under the Pakistan China Joint five year Economic and Trade Cooperation Plan.
The two sides also agreed to work together to achieve the trade target of US 15 billion dollars as early as possible. Pakistan also reiterated its full support to the ‘One China’ policy and the return of Taiwan to its motherland. It also condemned and rejected the “three evil forces i.e. secessionism, separatism and terrorism.” During the talks between President Pervez Musharraf and the Chinese leaders, both the sides exchanged views on regional and global issues and reached common understanding.
The two countries agreed to work together closely in global and regional forums to promote the cause of peace and development. Pakistan warmly congratulated the Chinese leaders and people on their great national accomplishments and expressed its joy over the celebrations of the three decades of the policy of economic reforms and opening up. Pakistan also expressed full appreciation for the excellent arrangements made by the government and the people of China for the holding of Beijing Olympics and expressed full cooperation and support to the Chinese government.
President Hu Jintao accepted an invitation extended by President Musharraf to visit Pakistan at his convenience. During the State visit, President Musharraf held officials talks with President Hu Jintao in Sanya, met Chairman NPC Standing Committee Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman CPPCC Jia Qinglin in Beijing as well as the leadership of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi.
The President was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Ata ur Rehman, Chairman Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Tariq Ikram and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh. Following are the Memoranda of Understanding signed between Pakistan and China:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Water and Power of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Engineering and Technological Sciences between the Ministry of Science and Technology of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Chinese Academy of Engineering of the People’s Republic of China.