ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Pakistan and China will sign several agreements aiming at promotion of economic partnership in large undertakings between the two countries during Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to Beijing later this month
, diplomatic sources told Dawn on Thursday.
The prime minister is scheduled to begin his four-day visit on Dec 14, during which he will also go to Shanghai, China's main industrial and commercial port city. This will be Shaukat Aziz's first visit as prime minister to China where he will hold consultations with the top Chinese leadership on issues of mutual interest.
The sources expressed the hope that it would be a 'substantive' visit and a number of important agreements in the economic field would be signed. The primary objective of the visit was to add economic content to the bilateral relationship that was marked by excellent political understanding, they maintained.
"The focus will be on economic linkages and enhanced commercial interaction," a senior diplomat said, adding that Pakistan favoured more interaction with China in all fields and wanted greater cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.
Mr Aziz will hold talks with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and also meet Chinese President Hu Jintao. The leaders of the two countries would exchange views on regional and international issues, including India-Pakistan peace process, Afghanistan, Iraq, non-proliferation, UNSC reforms, the anti-terrorism campaign, and the balance of power in the region, the sources said.
The prime minister will speak at a university function in Beijing, while in Shanghai he will address a business forum, it is learnt. The Chinese officials are attaching great importance to the visit which, they believe, will mark commitment to the large-scale and long-term multi-dimensional bilateral cooperation.
Significantly, this will be the first high-level visit of any Pakistani leader to China after the Oct 9 hostage-taking episode near South Waziristan that culminated in the death of a Chinese engineer working on the Gomal Zam dam project. Although the tragedy did not make the Chinese panic, it has shaken their confidence and made them somewhat cautious.
Following this tragic incident, the Chinese leadership vowed that it would not affect the Pakistan-China cooperation. However, they also called for appropriate security measures for some 3,000 Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as finance minister headed the Sino-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission from the Pakistan side and has dealt extensively with the ongoing economic projects.
China's contribution to Pakistan's development is immense and a number of mega projects in the country have been undertaken with the help of China. The two countries have collaborated in several mega infrastructure projects including roads, dams, ports and hydroelectric as well as coal-generated power plants.
The Saindak Gold and Copper project and the development of the Gwadar deep-sea port remain the icons of close Pakistan-China friendship. Other major projects of economic significance being executed with Chinese assistance include Chashma-II nuclear plant and the Thar coal power generation.
Pakistan and China have a long history of relations that stand upon unanimity of views and close coordination on key regional and global issues. Beijing has welcomed and supported the ongoing Indo-Pakistan peace process just as Islamabad has welcomed thawing of relations between India and China. Pakistan has seen India's engagement with China as a development that could help moderate Indian attitude towards its neighbouring countries.
China remains Pakistan's most important strategic ally and the bilateral relations have weathered all major upheavals including the break-up of Pakistan, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, rise and fall of the Taliban, the Kargil conflict, and the launching and dismantling of international jihad.
Pakistan and China also have a long-standing strategic partnership in defence sector. Last year, the two countries conducted their first joint naval exercises near the Shanghai Coast and launched the jointly produced JF-17 fighter jet.
