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China says Sino-Pak strategic ties not directed against anyone: India Today: India News, Latest India News, Breaking News India, News in India, World, Business, Cricket, Sports, Bollywood News India
China says Sino-Pak strategic ties not directed against anyone
PTI
Beijing, July 8, 2010
Amid concerns voiced by India over China's plans to have a rail link with Pakistan through the Karakoram ranges, Beijing on Thursday said the Sino-Pak "strategic" partnership was not aimed at targeting any third country.
"China and Pakistan are strategic partners enjoying profound traditional friendship. We have shared deepening cooperation across the board," Foreign office spokesman Qin Gang said at a press briefing while evading a direct response to a query about reports of the proposed rail link through the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region.
"Our cooperation is traditionally beneficial and not targeted against any third country. Such cooperation is not only beneficial for the two countries but also great for the peace and prosperity of the region," he said.
Pakistan Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said Asif Ali Zardari, during his meetings with the Chinese leadership, said the diruption in the Karakoram highway recently due to landslide had demonstrated the need for establishing a railway line and also a pipeline from Gwadar to China to connect the two countries.
Zardari also said that Pakistan wants connectivity to China through road link, oil pipeline and optic fibre and would like China to take maximum benefits from the Gwadar Port.
"We can jointly think about reaching upward in Asia exploring those markets though Pakistan," he was quoted as saying by APP.
According to reports in the past, Pakistan had awarded a USD 1.2 million contract to an international consortium to conduct a feasibility study for the 750-km rail line in 2007.
As per the past proposal, China would lay the track up to Khujerab.
The proposed rail link is a matter of concern to India as it passes through some of the disputed areas forming part of INDIAN Kashmir
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in New Delhi that "we are closely watching what is happening".
Earlier, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said on the issue that it is definitely a matter of concern.
"But we are taking our counter measures and we are doing our own preparation."
Asked to provide details of the proposed rail link, Qin only said that China and Pakistan signed agreements for economic cooperation, transportation, energy, etc after the talks between President Hu Jintao and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari.
China says Sino-Pak strategic ties not directed against anyone
PTI
Beijing, July 8, 2010
Amid concerns voiced by India over China's plans to have a rail link with Pakistan through the Karakoram ranges, Beijing on Thursday said the Sino-Pak "strategic" partnership was not aimed at targeting any third country.
"China and Pakistan are strategic partners enjoying profound traditional friendship. We have shared deepening cooperation across the board," Foreign office spokesman Qin Gang said at a press briefing while evading a direct response to a query about reports of the proposed rail link through the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region.
"Our cooperation is traditionally beneficial and not targeted against any third country. Such cooperation is not only beneficial for the two countries but also great for the peace and prosperity of the region," he said.
Pakistan Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said Asif Ali Zardari, during his meetings with the Chinese leadership, said the diruption in the Karakoram highway recently due to landslide had demonstrated the need for establishing a railway line and also a pipeline from Gwadar to China to connect the two countries.
Zardari also said that Pakistan wants connectivity to China through road link, oil pipeline and optic fibre and would like China to take maximum benefits from the Gwadar Port.
"We can jointly think about reaching upward in Asia exploring those markets though Pakistan," he was quoted as saying by APP.
According to reports in the past, Pakistan had awarded a USD 1.2 million contract to an international consortium to conduct a feasibility study for the 750-km rail line in 2007.
As per the past proposal, China would lay the track up to Khujerab.
The proposed rail link is a matter of concern to India as it passes through some of the disputed areas forming part of INDIAN Kashmir
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in New Delhi that "we are closely watching what is happening".
Earlier, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said on the issue that it is definitely a matter of concern.
"But we are taking our counter measures and we are doing our own preparation."
Asked to provide details of the proposed rail link, Qin only said that China and Pakistan signed agreements for economic cooperation, transportation, energy, etc after the talks between President Hu Jintao and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari.
