Sino-Pak relations: China, Pakistan agree to strengthen trade ties

Senator suggests air, rail links between Kashgar and Islamabad be set up.

URUMQI: Xinjiang Autonomous Region Governor Nur Bekri said on Monday that China wanted to develop closer economic relations with Pakistan.

In his meeting with a Pakistani parliamentary delegation, which was led by Senator Talha Mahmood, Nur said that China and Pakistan were good neighbours, good partners and good brothers.

“Being neighbours, we want to develop further the already existing close relations with Pakistan,” he said.

He briefed the delegation about the economic development being undertaken in Xinjiang. He said that the recent visit of President Zardari during which he attended the China-Eurasia Expo proved the importance the Pakistani government attached to Pakistan-China economic relations.

He said that the visit of the parliamentary delegation would improve economic relations between China and Pakistan.

Senator Mahmood appreciated the plan to develop a Special Economic Zone in Kashgar. He suggested that a direct air link from Kashgar to Islamabad should be set up. He added that a rail link between Kashgar and Pakistan should also be established.

He said that the relations between Pakistan and China were getting stronger by the day. “The unique aspect of these relations is that China has friendly relations with all political parties in Pakistan. The people-to-people contact between the two countries is also very strong. Both countries have supported each other in their hour of need,” he said.

He said that a Pakistan cultural street should be made in Kashgar to attract investment from Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th,  2011.