China’s unequivocal support to Pakistan

April 13th, 2008 Sana · No Comments

LIVING true to the commitment of maintaining a multi-faceted and strategic relationship with Pakistan, Chinese President Hu Jintao after talks with President Pervez Musharraf has extended unequivocal support to measures taken by Pakistan Government to maintain stability, domestic peace and promote economic development and assured to deepen bilateral strategic partnership. The assurance is very timely from a trusted ally and neighbour at a time when Pakistan is grappling to overcome challenges in different sectors of the economy as well as to deal with the menace of terrorism and extremism.

Ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two neighbours have enjoyed deep-rooted relations at all levels encompassing economy, diplomacy, defence cooperation, people to people contacts and strategic relations covering all areas. The ‘omni directional bilateral friendly cooperation’ between Pakistan and China, which is described as ‘all weather and evergreen’ is seen as a model of good neighbourly relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. The Chinese leader during the talks emphasized that Beijing attaches great importance to its relationship with Pakistan, always gave it a priority in its foreign policy and handled and promoted this relationship from a strategic and long-term point of view. It was right time for President Pervez Musharraf as well when he reiterated that Islamabad regarded Tibet as an inalienable part of Chinese territory because some powers are trying to foment trouble in Tibet and tarnish the image of China when it is busy to organize the Olympic Games. In addition to their cooperation at the international level, Pakistan-China bilateral economic cooperation has a long history. Important projects such as Karakoram Highway, Gwadar Port project, Heavy Mechanical Complex and Heavy Forge and Foundry in Taxila, Chashma nuclear power plant and Sports Complex, Islamabad, are outstanding examples of Chinese economic assistance to Pakistan. Defence cooperation between the two countries is of vital importance for Pakistan and the joint production of JF-7 Thunder aircraft and purchase of four frigates for Pakistan Navy speak volumes of the depth in this relationship. We hope that the visit of the President would help further strengthen the robust and time-tested Pakistan-China friendship and expand the strategic partnership.