ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal has said that Saindak Copper Field and Gwadar Deep Seaport projects are milestones in Sino-Pakistan friendship.

He made these remarks while talking to the Political Counsellor of China Mao Siwei who called on him here on Tuesday.

Mr Siwei discussed with him matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on promoting mutual interaction in diversified fields, particularly in the petroleum sector.

Pakistan, the minister said, was proud of its deep-rooted and time-tested friendly relations with China. He said China had played a significant role in socio-economic progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

The minister said Gwadar port would develop into a hub of trade and commercial activities and would provide an easy access to the Central Asian states and neighbouring countries.

He regretted the unfortunate incident of killing of Chinese engineers near Hub and said the government was mobilizing all its resources to apprehend the culprits involved in the crime and would give them exemplary punishment.

Mr Siwei expressed gratitude to Pakistan government for intensifying its efforts to apprehend the culprits involved the killing of Chinese engineers and said acts of terrorism could not hinder the pace of historic Sino-Pak friendship which, he said, would grow and flourish in the days ahead.—APP