Pak, China agree on civilian nuke co-op
By Our Diplimatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—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. China on Friday expressed its keenness to participate in the US $ 7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.
“We are seriously studying Pakistan’s proposal to participate in the IPI gas pipeline project,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yong Jiechi told the newsmen at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi here this afternoon. Yong Jiechi, who held talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said Beijing has asked for more information on the IPI project. To a question, the Chinese Foreign Minister said nuclear energy cooperation between China and Pakistan is a great success, adding, they have undertaken some good projects.
He said Pakistan has the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and China would continue to explore possibilities of cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said Beijing will provide Pakistan seventy million RMB as technical and economic assistance and 500,000 yuan for equipment for the Foreign Office.
He said China is looking forward towards very constructive working relationship with Pakistan and purpose of his visit is to push forward relations between the two countries in various fields. He thanked Pakistan for its firm support with regard to Chinese position on the question of Taiwan and Tibet. The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the valuable support by Pakistan for very smooth Olympic Torch Relay and its support for successful Beijing Olympic.
He described President Musharraf’s recent visit to China as a great success. He said both sides have agreed to maintain and increase their level of contacts and exchange of visits.
He said China will continue to extend assistance particularly in defence and energy sectors.
Yong Jiechi said China would encourage its companies to make more investment in Pakistan.
He appreciated Pakistan for providing good environment for Chinese investors particularly in energy, tele-communication and other sectors. He said China will cooperate with Pakistan in dealing firmly with terrorism.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said during the talks the two sides discussed in detail host of things from defence cooperation to strategic partnership and the economic linkages that existed between the two countries and agreed to build our relations to a greater height. He said China is a time tested and all weather friend of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has expressed the desire to purchase some anti-terrorism equipment.
Qureshi said as China has vast experience and technology available for generating power through coal, he emphasised for greater Chinese investment in energy sector particularly in the coal sector.
He said they discussed how to incorporate China into Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project, adding, China has expressed the desire for more details on the project. Foreign Minister Qureshi said China has expressed its support to Pakistan for full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.