ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: Pakistan and China have agreed to forge closer economic and trade ties besides promoting cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, mineral, energy, information and communication technology, education and technical sectors.

According to a joint statement issued on Saturday, the Chinese side reaffirmed its respect for Pakistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed support for the efforts made by Pakistan at promoting peace and stability in South Asia.

The two sides expressed the hope that signing of five-year (2007-2011) plan for trade and economic cooperation would play an important role in forging closer ties in different areas.

The Chinese president during his visit to Pakistan held talks with President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz besides holding meetings with other high officials.

China-Pakistan friendly relations and cooperation have become a fine example of friendly co-existence between developing and neighbouring countries, said the joint statement.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen good-neighbourliness and friendship, conduct mutually-beneficial cooperation and enhance the strategic partnership.

According to the statement, China agreed to continue its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective and work with Pakistan to elevate the China-Pakistan strategic partnership to a new height.

China thanked Pakistan for its valuable support on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

The Pakistani side stressed that its relations with China serve as the bedrock of its foreign policy and that pursuing friendship with China is the consensus of Pakistani government and people.

Pakistan thanked the Chinese government and people for their strong support and assistance for its economic development endeavours.

The two sides reiterated that the joint declaration signed by the heads of state of the two countries in 2003 provides important guidance to the deepening of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on its smooth implementation.

Pakistan and China decided to increase exchanges between government departments, parliaments, political parties, intelligentsia, think-tanks and armed forces and have more people-to-people contacts with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and promoting comprehensive cooperation.

The two sides agreed to continue communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and jointly safeguard the fundamental interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

The joint statement, consisting 32 points, also applauded the signing of Free Trade Agreement. They decided to put trade in services on fast track to make FTA on goods and services more comprehensive. The two sides agreed to increase their bilateral trade to over US$15 billion in the next five years.

They reviewed with satisfaction positive progress in energy cooperation.

The Chinese side encouraged competitive and reputable Chinese companies to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan in exploration and development of oil and gas resources and construction of oil refineries and oil and gas storage facilities.—APP