28 March 2004	Sunday	06 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 27: The need for more emphasis on improving Pakistan-China economic cooperation, which is lagging behind political relationship, was stressed by Mr Xing Ming, leader of a six-member Chinese delegation currently on a visit to Pakistan.

Mr Ming, Vice President of the Chinese Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), was expressing his views during an interactive discussion on the evolving world and regional situation held here on Saturday at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA). Chief of the institute Fatahyab Ali Khan was in the chair.

In reply to a question about making the world safe from nuclear weapons, Mr Ming said his country was the first to propose nuclear-free South East Asia, and added that Pakistan had also been demanding the same since long.

Nevertheless, he said, since India had taken the initiative to become a nuclear power, Pakistan also had every right to have nuclear deterrent. Pakistan's programme, he stressed, was defensive.

During the discussion, leader of the Chinese delegation asked questions about possible impact of the ongoing military operation in Wana, South Waziristan, and the evolving Pakistan-US strategic relationship.

The visitors were informed by some members of the institute that internal dynamics of the operation carried negative impact as tribal people had different notions and way of life. The problem had become sticky not only because the terrain was inhospitable, but also because the tribal people didn't believe that those against whom the operation had been launched were terrorists. They totally rejected the West's current perception of terrorist and terrorism.

With regard to Pakistan's evolving strategic relationship with the US, the visitors were cited Dr Henry Kissinger's words who had remarked in 1971 that "for any country, US friendship is dangerous, and enmity disastrous."

It was also pointed out that the people of Pakistan were apprehensive about Washington's intentions as it was only building its relationship around Gen Pervez Musharraf. What would happen in future was not clear.

In the context of the war on terrorism, the Chinese delegation was asked about the situation in Sinkiang. Leader of the delegation said that he did not feel there would be any problem of security. He rejected western reports in this regard.

Mr Ming said that there were some extremist elements, but stated the political and social situation there was stable.

He said that China held Pakistan in great esteem and there should be no difficulty for Pakistanis in that country. Life of the people was normal, he added.

He also referred to some of the constitutional changes which had transformed the Chinese society. In this context, he referred to human rights and private ownership issues which were recently debated in the Chinese parliament.

Mr Ming said China believed that political and economic reforms should be introduced in a step-by-step manner and important constitutional changes were the natural outcome of that process.

About human rights, he pointed out that China's concept on the issue was different from that of the West.

The new Chinese leadership attached great importance to human rights issues and emphasized that Beijing would not allow the West to interfere in its domestic jurisdiction. "Remarkable work has been done through constitutional amendments that would further strengthen human rights."