Chinese president meets Pakistani PM on advancing bilateral links
- Source: Xinhua
- [17:39 October 13 2009]
- Comments
Noting that the two countries signed an agreement on service trade of China-Pakistan free trade zone in the beginning of this year, Hu said the agreement opened up broad prospect for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The president said China places importance on trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan, expressing the willingness to advance China-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation to achieve greater fruits on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and practical and orderly operation.
He expressed appreciation on Gilani's consistent effort to uphold China-Pakistan friendship and his focus on developing bilateral links.
"I appreciate your comment that no matter how the international situation has changed, the peoples of China and Pakistan are always joined in hearts and hands," Hu said.
Gilani arrived in Beijing Monday evening for a four-day visit to China.
Hu said Gilani, like his late farther Alamdar Hussain Gilani, is an old and good friend of China. Hu recalled that in the 1950s, late Alamdar Hussain Gilani met with late Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai when visiting China. In the 1990s, Gilani visited China in the capacity of Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Gilani thanked Hu for recalling the warm memory of his late father and his contact with older generation of Chinese leaders. He conveyed congratulations from the Pakistani people and President Asif Ali Zardari to China for the 60th anniversary of the founding the People's Republic of China.
Gilani said Pakistan and China share a time-tested and all-weather friendship which has taken root deep in the hearts of the two peoples. Pakistan treasures and appreciates the firm support that China lent to it, Gilani said. He emphasized that Pakistan-China friendship and their strategic cooperative partnership constitute an important factor for peace and stability in the region.
Gilani expressed the willingness to conduct closer cooperation, reinforce traditional friendship, push forward practical cooperation in various fields and advance major cooperative projects for greater progress.
Gilani also expressed the wish to strengthen cooperation with China on the anti-terrorism front as terrorist attacks killed scores of people in Pakistan this month. He said Pakistan will continue to adopt forceful measures to secure the safety of Chinese institutes and personnel in the country.
Gilani said Pakistan will continue to strengthen mutual support with China on regional and international issues. He asked China to play its important role in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.
Gilani reiterated that the government of Pakistan will continue to firmly support China's stance on issues concerning its core interests, including issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
