From APP:
"ISLAMABAD, Dec 24-President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership was the cornerstone of Pakistans foreign policy and termed this partnership critical for the development, peace and security of the region and the world.During his meeting with Mr Dai Bingguo, President Hu Jintaos representative and State Councilor of China here at the Presidency, the President said that the government and people of Pakistan greatly value Chinas support and solidarity with Pakistan in our national efforts to safeguard our sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The President said that all-weather and time-tested Pakistan-China friendship based on complete mutual trust and respect go beyond governments and are deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people of the two countries.
He said that Pakistan and China enjoy complete convergence of views on all bilateral, global and regional issues and a commonality of approach to advance the international agenda for peace and prosperity.
The President termed Chinas gigantic development as a miracle of the modern times and said that Pakistan as Chinas closest friend truly shares the sense of immense pride on Chinas great achievements on all fronts.
The President recalled his previous seven visits to China and said that Pakistan was keen to learn from the Chinese economic and technological development and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of defence, energy, industry, agriculture, communications, commerce and trade.
He said that the current level of bilateral trade was much below the existing trade potential and urged the need for jacking it up to $ 15 billion in next 3-4 years.
The President said that the recently concluded Currency Swap Agreement between the two countries is a landmark development and would help boost bilateral trade and investment as traders and entrepreneurs of the two countries would be able to use both rupees and yuan as exchangeable currencies.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Currency Swap Agreement, the Five Year Economic Cooperation Plan, the ongoing financial and banking sector cooperation, the joint projects in infrastructure, agriculture, energy and other sectors demonstrate the strength of our partnership, the President said and expressed confidence that in the years ahead, Pakistan and China will forge even closer economic integration for mutual benefit.
The President appreciated the Chinese government and leadership for its invaluable support for the socio-economic development and strategic stability of Pakistan.
The President thanked Mr Dai Bingguo for visiting Pakistan to commemorate the successful culmination of the Pakistan-China friendship year and termed it as a source of joy and immense satisfaction for the government and people of Pakistan.
The President on the occasion assured that the great Chinese Nation will always find Pakistan by its side through thick and thin and also conveyed warm greetings of the people of Pakistan to its Chinese brothers and sisters on culmination of the Pakistan-China Friendship year.
He said that during this year, the people of the two countries celebrated their friendship and strategic partnership and they renewed their pledge to carry forward their all-weather and time-tested friendship from generation to generation.
Mr Dai Bingguo, State Councilor of China, thanked the President and government of Pakistan for its consistent support to China over its principled position on Tibet, Taiwan and Singqiang and assured that China will stood by Pakistan through thick and thin and will continue to support Pakistans sovereignty, territorial integrity, dignity and honour.
He said that both the countries have pursued effective and practical cooperation that has contributed to the economic and social development of two countries and brought tangible benefit to our people, thus laying a solid foundation for strong relations.
Mr Dai Bingguo thanked the President and the government for the warm welcome and expressed pleasure to visit Pakistan as the representative of President Hu Jintao in this 60th anniversary year of our diplomatic relations and attending various grand functions marking the close of the Year of China-Pakistan friendship.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Secretary General to the President, M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir and Pakistans Ambassador in China Masood Khan were present during the meeting.
The Chinese delegation headed by Mr Dai Bingguo, State Councilor of China,comprised of Fu Ying, Vice Minister, Ministry Foreign affairs and senior Chinese officials. Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Mr Liu Jian was also present."
Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Pak-China strategic partnership critical for peace, security of region, world: President
"ISLAMABAD, Dec 24-President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership was the cornerstone of Pakistans foreign policy and termed this partnership critical for the development, peace and security of the region and the world.During his meeting with Mr Dai Bingguo, President Hu Jintaos representative and State Councilor of China here at the Presidency, the President said that the government and people of Pakistan greatly value Chinas support and solidarity with Pakistan in our national efforts to safeguard our sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The President said that all-weather and time-tested Pakistan-China friendship based on complete mutual trust and respect go beyond governments and are deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people of the two countries.
He said that Pakistan and China enjoy complete convergence of views on all bilateral, global and regional issues and a commonality of approach to advance the international agenda for peace and prosperity.
The President termed Chinas gigantic development as a miracle of the modern times and said that Pakistan as Chinas closest friend truly shares the sense of immense pride on Chinas great achievements on all fronts.
The President recalled his previous seven visits to China and said that Pakistan was keen to learn from the Chinese economic and technological development and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of defence, energy, industry, agriculture, communications, commerce and trade.
He said that the current level of bilateral trade was much below the existing trade potential and urged the need for jacking it up to $ 15 billion in next 3-4 years.
The President said that the recently concluded Currency Swap Agreement between the two countries is a landmark development and would help boost bilateral trade and investment as traders and entrepreneurs of the two countries would be able to use both rupees and yuan as exchangeable currencies.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Currency Swap Agreement, the Five Year Economic Cooperation Plan, the ongoing financial and banking sector cooperation, the joint projects in infrastructure, agriculture, energy and other sectors demonstrate the strength of our partnership, the President said and expressed confidence that in the years ahead, Pakistan and China will forge even closer economic integration for mutual benefit.
The President appreciated the Chinese government and leadership for its invaluable support for the socio-economic development and strategic stability of Pakistan.
The President thanked Mr Dai Bingguo for visiting Pakistan to commemorate the successful culmination of the Pakistan-China friendship year and termed it as a source of joy and immense satisfaction for the government and people of Pakistan.
The President on the occasion assured that the great Chinese Nation will always find Pakistan by its side through thick and thin and also conveyed warm greetings of the people of Pakistan to its Chinese brothers and sisters on culmination of the Pakistan-China Friendship year.
He said that during this year, the people of the two countries celebrated their friendship and strategic partnership and they renewed their pledge to carry forward their all-weather and time-tested friendship from generation to generation.
Mr Dai Bingguo, State Councilor of China, thanked the President and government of Pakistan for its consistent support to China over its principled position on Tibet, Taiwan and Singqiang and assured that China will stood by Pakistan through thick and thin and will continue to support Pakistans sovereignty, territorial integrity, dignity and honour.
He said that both the countries have pursued effective and practical cooperation that has contributed to the economic and social development of two countries and brought tangible benefit to our people, thus laying a solid foundation for strong relations.
Mr Dai Bingguo thanked the President and the government for the warm welcome and expressed pleasure to visit Pakistan as the representative of President Hu Jintao in this 60th anniversary year of our diplomatic relations and attending various grand functions marking the close of the Year of China-Pakistan friendship.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Secretary General to the President, M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir and Pakistans Ambassador in China Masood Khan were present during the meeting.
The Chinese delegation headed by Mr Dai Bingguo, State Councilor of China,comprised of Fu Ying, Vice Minister, Ministry Foreign affairs and senior Chinese officials. Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Mr Liu Jian was also present."
Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Pak-China strategic partnership critical for peace, security of region, world: President
