Hu pursues Pakistan trade deals

2008-10-16  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHINA and Pakistan yesterday signed more than 10 deals ranging from trade and minerals to agriculture and satellites.

The package of agreements came out of a two-hour summit at Beijing's Great Hall of the People as China rolled out the red carpet for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on his first state visit to the country since taking office in September.

Zardari was welcomed by President Hu Jintao and received a 21-gun military salute at the Tian'anmen Square.

During the meeting, Hu reviewed the close ties between the two countries that have developed over the past 57 years.

"Your entire family are old friends of the Chinese people," Hu told Zardari.

"We will never forget the outstanding contribution Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made to boosting ties with China."

Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December 2007, and her late father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, served as Pakistan president.

Hu said China has always given priority to its relationship with Pakistan, an important neighbor and strategic partner.

Zardari said he was grateful for "the warm welcome that you have shown us and the love and affection that I can feel from across the aisle."

"I am hoping to assist the Pakistan-China relationship and take it further along. It's a duty history has bestowed upon me."

On the economic front, Hu said the two countries were enjoying robust cooperation and that they should continue to implement their free-trade pact and other deals.

He also proposed that the two nations explore new areas of cooperation.

"China and Pakistan should vigorously boost border trade in order to bring more substantive benefits to their citizens," he said.

Zardari said the two countries should carry out big projects and work more closely in infrastructure, transport, environmental protection and finance, among other areas.