China admires Pak support on Taiwan, Tibet: Yang

BEIJING—Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has said China deeply appreciates Pakistan’s firm support to China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues.
“Over the years, Pakistan has given firm support to China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues that are crucial to China’s core interests,” he said in an interview with APP, as he left for Islamabad.
He said the Olympic torch relay that took place just a few days ago in Islamabad was a “great success.” Yang said the Government of Pakistan attached great importance to the torch relay and worked very hard to ensure its success.
He pointed out that People from all walks of life in Pakistan were actively involved in the event. President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani jointly presided over the torch relay ceremony, he noted.
The event not only promoted the Olympic spirit, but also showed to the world the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, Yang said.
“I am convinced that with the support of Pakistan and the entire international community, the Beijing Olympic Games will be a crowning success,” he said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has expressed the hope that with the joint efforts of Pakistan and China, the goal of increasing trade volume to over US$ 15 billion would be achieved and the business ties would continue to grow.
In an Interview with newsmen ahead of his visit to Islamabad that started Friday, the Foreign Minister said China and Pakistan “are partners for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.” China, he said, greatly values its business cooperation with Pakistan and in recent years continuous progress has been made in business and investment cooperation.
“Pakistan is the first country in South Asia that signed a Free Trade Agreement with China”, he pointed out.
He said that the Haier-Ruba Industrial Park, the first joint project of its kind between China and a foreign country, is operating smoothly.
The China-Pakistan Joint Investment Company, China’s first overseas financial cooperation institution, has also started operation.
“I believe that with our joint efforts, the goal of increasing our trade volume to over US$ 15 billion will be achieved and our business ties will continue to forge ahead.” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Pakistan has a right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the Pak-China cooperation for this purpose has been a great success.
The Chinese foreign minister was addressing the media, alongside his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
He said that his visit to Pakistan is yet another step towards consolidating mutual relations in defence, economy, investment, energy and security. He said his country would also strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in dealing with terrorists. Shah Mehmood Qureshi told the media that Pakistan will purchase equipment from China to fight terrorism.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yong Jiechi Friday called on President Pakistan Muslim League Ch. Shujaat Hussain and discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests of Pakistan and China. Speaking on the occasion, Ch. Shujaat said though PML (Q) was not in power, but it would continue efforts to further strengthen Pak-China relations.—APP