January 27, 2007	Saturday	Muharram 07, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro Friday said that the all-weather Pakistan-China friendship was not only a source of strength for the two countries but also instrumental in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

He was talking to a 10-member Chinese delegation which called on him at Parliament House here on Friday. The delegation was led by Bai Lichen, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Board of Directors of All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC). The chairman said that Pakistan and China had a long history of friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation which was growing rapidly over the years in many spheres.

He referred to the Gwadar Port, Saindak Project, Thar Coal Project, Chashma Power Plant and Heavy Mechanical Complex Taxila as being living examples of this growing cooperation.

Mr Soomro said that it was a people friendship and was above political expediencies. He said the close and cordial relations between the two countries were bound to go from strength to strength in the days to come.

The Senate chairman apprised the Chinese delegation of the recent developments on the economic front. He said Pakistan was one of the fastest growing economies in the world and it had emerged as an attractive destination for businessmen and entrepreneurs, local as well as foreign, owing to the policies of deregulation, privatization and liberalization being pursued by the country.

Bai Lichen said that Pakistan was just his second homeland and China was very proud of its friendship with Pakistan and it considered its achievements as Chinese achievements.

He said China was paying greater attention to development of cooperatives to maintain social stability and harmony. He assured fullest cooperation in development of this sector and transferring its benefits to the common man.