Pak-China harnessing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes: PM Aziz
Tuesday May 23, 2006
Pak-China harnessing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes: PM Aziz
http://www.pakistaniforces.com/forums/
http://www.paktribune.com/news/topstories.phphttp://www.paktribune.com/news/topstories.phphttp://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=144538http://www.paktribune.com/mypaktrib...ear technology for peaceful purposes: PM Azizhttp://www.paktribune.com/mypaktrib...ear technology for peaceful purposes: PM Aziz
ISLAMABAD: PM Shaukat Aziz emphasizing the deep rooted friendship with China said that we are undertaking up-gradation of the Karakorum Highway to convert it into an all weather corridor to facilitate bilateral trade and a significant area of cooperation between Pakistan and China has been the harnessing of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under international safeguards for the production of electricity.
He was addressing at the seminar at the seminar commemorating 55 years of Pakistan-China relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on Tuesday.
Prime Minister said the friendship between our two countries is rooted in our hearts and minds. Ours is a special relationship, which is wholeheartedly and overwhelmingly supported by our peoples. These ties are also unshakeable, as they are not based on transient interests or temporary objectives. It is a long-term partnership for peace, stability and prosperity at the bilateral, regional and international levels. These relations have withstood the test of time and the far-reaching changes that have taken place in our regional and global environment.
"Our ties are, therefore, a model for relations between any two countries. Over the past 55 years our all-weather and time-tested friendship has become higher than the highest mountains and deeper than the deepest oceans. There exists complete trust and confidence between us as we have shaped our relationship on the eternal principles of peaceful co-existence and mutually beneficial cooperation", PM said.
Pakistan and China have always pursued their friendship with the objective of mutual benefit and never at the cost of any other country. We have not sought hegemony nor shall we accept hegemony from any quarter. Our relationship is designed to promote security and cooperation with our neighbours as well as with our global partners, he said.
"China is today a great world power. Its influential role is a factor for global peace and stability. Its economy dominates the global economic system. There exists great respect and admiration in the world for the giant strides that have been made by China since it succeeded in overthrowing the yoke of imperialism. Therefore, on this occasion I would like to congratulate the leadership, the government and the people of China on their tremendous political, military, economic and technological achievements. It would not be an overstatement to say that these accomplishments of our Chinese friends have indeed changed the course of history", PM said.
"We, in Pakistan, have also laboured hard over the last six years to reposition and revitalize Pakistan through broad-based and multi-dimensional structural reforms. These reforms in the political, economic and social sectors, ensuring transparency, accountability and consistency, have put Pakistan on an upward growth trajectory. As a result, our economic growth last year, at 8.4%, was second only to that of China. We are confident that this positive trend shall continue" , he said.
A revitalized Pakistan has also emerged as an anchor for peace and stability in the region. Pakistan is now in a position to leverage its strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia to promote multi-dimensional corridors of cooperation including oil and gas pipelines, electricity grids, transportation networks and trade relations. Our ports at Karachi and Gawadar can serve as the shortest access to the sea for Central Asia as well as Western China, he said.
In the political realm, Pakistan and China are committed to pursuing relations between each other and with other countries on the basis of the principles of peaceful co-existence, sovereign equality and non-interference. We seek mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries and are committed to the peaceful settlement of all disputes and conflicts. Our relations are not designed to be used against any third country. We also do not subscribe to concepts such as balance of power, pre-emption and unilateralism. We believe in strengthening the United Nations system to address and resolve all regional and global issues., he said
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said our two countries seek a level playing field without trade barriers and tariff walls. Bilaterally there exists great potential for further economic cooperation, far above and beyond the levels reached so far. With China`s growing economic power, it is fast becoming an exporter of capital and Pakistan would welcome greater levels of Chinese investment in our economy, especially in sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, IT, construction, mining, textiles and many others.
" We welcome the recent agreement with China to establish industrial and hi-tech zones in Pakistan. We are working towards creating economic and energy zones as well. Soon we will be concluding a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, having already put in place an early harvest trade arrangement. These efforts to promote Chinese investments as well as bilateral trade will give a tremendous boost to our bilateral cooperation.
We will soon be undertaking up-gradation of the Karakorum Highway to convert it into an all weather corridor to facilitate bilateral trade. Furthermore, we are exploring the feasibility of constructing an oil pipeline from the port of Gawadar, constructed with Chinese assistance, up to Western China which will considerably shorten the distance and time for oil transportation from the Gulf to China. Setting up of a mega-refinery at Gawadar would further facilitate China`s oil imports from our region", he said.
A significant area of cooperation between Pakistan and China has been the harnessing of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under international safeguards - for the production of electricity. The Chashma-I and II power plants are a symbol of such cooperation. We are working towards further expansion of cooperation in this area. In our view, the peaceful uses of nuclear technology under appropriate safeguards is the right of every country and there should be a level playing field in this regard.
Pakistan-China defence cooperation has always remained a factor for stability in the region. The framework agreement on defence cooperation between the two countries signed in February this year is designed to carry forward our traditional cooperation in this area and shall contribute towards the modernization of our armed forces. Specific joint production projects such as the JF-17 fighter aircraft, the Al-Khalid and Zarar tanks are all examples of the tangible output of our defence relations with China. A lesser-known but equally important aspect of this cooperation is in the important field of Research and Development which will lay the groundwork for future cooperation in this field, he said.
Prime Minister said as we commemorate the 55 years of Pakistan-China relations, it is necessary to re-dedicate ourselves to a future partnership even stronger than in the past.
We also need to redouble our efforts for the protection and promotion of international peace and security in a multi-polar international system confronted with serious challenges such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, regional conflicts, the energy crisis, environmental degradation among others, the PM concluded.
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=144538
