Hu vows to strengthen ties with Pakistan

By Sun Shangwu (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-11-25 16:27

ISLAMABAD: Visiting President Hu Jintao said on Friday China was heartened by Pakistan's recent progress in economic and international affairs.

"We in China are heartened by the achievements made by the brotherly Pakistani people. We wish you even greater progress in the noble cause of national development and rejuvenation," he said in his speech delivered to about 2,000 audience members in the Islamabad Convention Centre, including Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Reviewing the long tradition of bilateral relations between the countries, Hu said history has witnessed the dynamic growth of the China-Pakistan friendship.

"The Karakoram Highway, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant and the Gwadar Port, jointly built by China and Pakistan, stand testimony to the great friendship our peoples have forged," he said in the speech, which was frequently interrupted by applause.

Pakistan's economy has grown at an average rate of 7.5 per cent in the past three years, ranking it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The country is also actively involved in regional and international affairs.

Hu also said China will remain a force for enhancing world peace and common development and building a harmonious world.

"China's development is peaceful, open and co-operative in nature. It will not pose a threat to anyone," said Hu, adding that China's development will create more opportunities for world development.

President Hu put forward a five-point proposal to strengthen the two countries' partnership.

-- Deepen strategic co-operation and consolidate traditional friendship.

China and Pakistan enjoy a time-tested, all-weather friendship, which is the shared asset of the two countries and should be cherished and continuously enhanced. China views its relations with Pakistan in strategic terms and from a long-term perspective.

-- Expand win-win business ties.

With a combined population of close to 1.5 billion and economic complementarity, China and Pakistan enjoy huge potential for co-operation. In recent years, China-Pakistan business ties have seen strong growth, becoming an important driving force of our relations. The free trade agreement and the five-year development programme on trade and economic co-operation signed by the two countries will accelerate economic and trade collaboration in the future. The Chinese Government encourages leading Chinese companies to take Pakistan as a priority destination for investment and supports them in undertaking construction projects, opening factories and conducting research and development in Pakistan. China will strengthen win-win co-operation with Pakistan in key areas such as energy and resources development, information technology, infrastructure and agriculture to give full play to their comparative strengths.

-- Expand cultural and social exchanges and strengthen the basis of friendship.

The Confucius Institute has been set up in Pakistan and the two countries have discussed setting up the China-Pakistan Friendship Centre. The Chinese Government supports increased exchanges and co-operation with Pakistan in the areas of culture, health, education, tourism, sports, press and academic institutions.

-- Strengthen co-operation in international affairs and uphold common interests.

To China, Pakistan is an important partner of co-operation in the international arena. China will continue to work with Pakistan to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the collective interests of developing countries and promote democracy in international relations.

-- Promote exchanges among civilizations to enhance world harmony.

A harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity serves the interests of the world's people. Different social systems and cultural backgrounds have never stood in the way of friendly relations between China and Pakistan. China-Pakistan relations have become an example of harmonious coexistence between countries of different civilizations. China highly appreciates the "enlightened moderation" championed by President Musharraf, viewing it as an important proposition for promoting harmony among countries of different civilizations.

In China's view, differences in culture, tradition, social systems, values and modes of development should be recognized. These differences reflect the vitality of the world and serve to promote its dynamic growth. One should not make irresponsible remarks about the internal affairs of other countries simply because of differences among countries. And it is equally wrong to blame a particular civilization, nation or religion for some problems and conflicts in the world.