The Chinese PM also thanked President Zardari for awarding him with Nishan-e-Pakistan on his arrival. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang , in a joint news conference with President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday, said the two countries are working to develop an economic corridor, Express News reported.
The Chinese PM arrived in Islamabad under extra-tight security on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March and after a visit to Pakistan and China's arch rival, India.
Li's plane was escorted by six air force fighter jets as it entered Pakistani air space. Security measures also included shutting down mobile phone networks briefly across the city.
"The two countries have reached a consensus on multiple important issues. We hope to create a giant economic corridor that would not only enhance China's strategic significance but would also help in restoring peace and stability to Asia," he said.
Li said there was still "great potential" for the relationship. Bilateral trade last year rose above $12 billion for the first time and both sides are aiming to reach $15 billion in the next two or three years.
"Our two sides should focus on carrying out priority projects in connectivity, energy development and power generation and promoting the building of a China-Pakistan economic corridor," Li told media.
The Chinese PM said that his visit to Pakistan prior to it forming a new government shows that the relationship between the two countries is "ever-lasting." He said the regular meetings between officials of the two countries have become a norm.
"Through my visit, I aim to strengthen the tradition," he said.
He thanked President Zardari for awarding him with Nishan-e-Pakistan on his arrival and said "I don't just take this as personal honour but also as a sign of goodwill from people of Pakistan to the people of China."
"We would like to partner with Pakistan, so that we can create a better future for mankind, for Asia and for both our countries," he added.
President Zardari responded by saying, "Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Gwadar Port and our agreements on Satellite connectivity among others are a testament to the fact that the dreams of citizens from both the countries are being realized."
He thanked the Chinese PM for generously contributing 500 million yuan to development projects in Pakistan and hoped that the cooperation of the two countries would lead to a better future for South Asia.
The two countries also signed a series of cooperation documents covering the economy, culture, and science and technology.
"China and Pakistan shall remain all-weather friends," President Zardari said.
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COMMENTS (22)
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If China were interested in having a strategic presence in the Arabian Sea, it could have gone with an easier option, like the Ormara Naval Base
The total investment in Pakistan from come-rain-or-shine friend China is a meagre $0.8 billion, which is almost half of that from tiny Netherlands ($1.5 billion) or USA ($7.7 billion). In return, Pakistan is practically donating an entire Gwadar port to all-weather friend China. Pakistan's "strategic significance" is only to ensure that it doesn't export Jihadis to China's restive Uighur province to fight Beijing when it is busy repressing the Muslim Uighurs there. The bilateral trade between the two 'all-weather-allies' is a paltry $10 billion, which is heavily in favor of China (China exports $ 8.5 billion to Pakistan but imports only $1.5 billion).
The Chinese premier Li Keqiang visited not-so-friendly India BEFORE all-weather-ally Pakistan. Keqiang also spend THREE days in India but only TWO in Pakistan.
But then, what's there to lose from dreaming, right?
@Javed:
why are you so worried what we do with our port in china.
You have a port 'in China'? Really?
Which port of China has been leased to Pakistan?
I like the idea and intentions. Our khakis/politicians(?) need to make sure we are not perceived as too eager and sell ourselves cheap to the chinese, like the khakis did handing over gwadar. Except for the land speculators around gwadar and khakis, no one seems to have benefited!
Its DESIRE of "all brotherly countries - UMMA group" that Pakistan should give Gawadar to China, Karachi to Bhata Mafia, KPTA to Taliban and Punjab to anyone who can help in digging more "strategic DEPTH" Praise Be Allah
"Pak-China economic corridor to restore peace in region: Chinese PM" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So the Taliban issue is solved?
@XX: "sanity into India-Pakistan relations." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Like the sanity that Kargil and 26/11 bought?:)
Well in light of all these ridiculous India-Pakistan comments I hope China could also help bring some sanity into India-Pakistan relations.
Has China been able to stop drone attacks on Pakistan ? Any guarantee it has given to Pakistanis ? If its not been able to protect Pakistanis now ,when it will do ? Better for Pakistanis to protect their ports and other infrastructure , your politicians are selling it at wholesale.
One of my Chinese friends told me that she still remembers that her social studies back in China teacher used to say, "Two countries can never be best friends forever! Except China and Pakistan." Her father is a high ranking technocrat in the Communist party and, according to her, her parents hate the Indians. From my conversations with many Chinese that I have met and known well, I can confidently say, at least the older generation as well as the middle aged generation (30ish) Chinese really like Pakistan. But I think we are becoming a bother for the Chinese more recently and we need to stop this or else the balance in our friendship will cease to exist as well as the friendship itself!
@Javed: "@Raj: why are you so worried what we do with our port in china" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How typically Pakistani: instead of attacking with logic , Raj is being attacked as an individual. I think its never too late to grow up.
@Javed: "What has india had to offer pakistan in the name of economic development lately?" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well u can see countless indians on these pages giving free advice.....fortunately there is no charge for it:)
@Javed: I am not worried, nor is anyone from India worried. We are all amused and are enjoying it. Red Flag has replaced green in Gwadar and Pakistan navy has to seek permission from China to enter Gwadar. In fact Pakistan navy has to lease Gwadar from China if it ever wants to. China will not allow terror activities from both Karachi and Gwadar to protect its own investments. What more can India want? Even Gulf Kingdoms are happy that Gwadar will not be a commercial port to compete with their commercial interests. It will be bad for India if China chooses to attack it. But that is not foreseen. China may threaten to test waters but shall never attack India.
What sort of patriots are Pakistanis to feel happy with giving away part of their land? Even Imran Khan wanted Gwadar to be developed as a commercial port not as a naval base. Had PPP given Gwadar to anyone to develop as a commercial port, everyone would have been after Zardari, blaming him of getting kickbacks. Now that the Army has given away Gwadar, everyone is pretending to be happy. Yes, it is pretending to hide their shame. Can any Pakistani tell me that he is really happy that Gwadar has been handed over to China, however bitter their enmity with India may be? Just also think as the how badly Pakistan has damaged itself as regards to the situation in Baluchistan. Are the Baluch happy that they were never even consulted on this? No country has ever been and can never be as foolish as Pakistan. A caretaker government that will be completing its term in days, not even weeks is giving away parts of the country !!!!!!!!!!
@Javed What has india had to offer pakistan in the name of economic development lately?
And India would get a Mumbai Attack in return.Peace brother :)
@ Raj-USA
It is interesting that you being an NRI, who left his country for personal gains is worried about what China wants in another country.
there are no 'best friends' in global politics. china has some interests with pakistan, and pakistan has some interests with china. for some odd reason, pakistanis are very unaware of this reality. this is the same relationship with the saudis, the americans, or anyone else. pakistan did not help the US in WoT because of some friendship. it did so because it was in pakistans interest. some personal relationships may allow for greater understanding (as was between musharraf and erdogan and gul in turkey) but the countries still look thru the lens of self interest.
@ Raj,
Naval base at Gawadar, funded and maintained by China means neutralization of Indian naval forces resulting in continued operation of Pakistani ports in any form of conflict. Exactly contrary to the ultimate aim of India that is constantly seeking domination of the neighboring countries and perpetually failing. I can hear the bells ringing across the border already. India being surrounded by pro-china countries may turn out to be a big headache even with the west at its back. Ground links to China via Gawadar-Karakoram highway and Central Asia via Gawadar-Afghanistan-Central Asia with the blessings of Russia, presents immense potential for Pakistani economic development. I dont see any place for India in the whole scenario other than sitting on the border line, watching and unable to take advantage of the strategic location of Pakistan.
@Raj: why are you so worried what we do with our port in china. Worry about your own country. What has india had to offer pakistan in the name of economic development lately? Crickets...
China is talking only on "economic corridor". It is a stubble but noticeable change. Economic corridor cannot be achieved with Talibans in power and control of Pakistan. Can it be?????? Still Pakistan (even Zardari) is not going beyond the military possibilities like satellite connectivity (for military use) and Gwadar (for naval base). No harm in China developing Gwadar, it primary motive is to develop it as a commercial port rather than a naval base. Commercial port will bring benefits and revenue and Naval base will be very costly for Pakistan to maintain. Naval base will not bring revenues and there will be only expenditure. This would mean China taking over Gwadar permanently. Pakistan will never be able to take back Gwadar from China as it can never repay China the costs it will incur in developing Gwadar to a naval base.
Great opportunity for Pakistan and China to work together on regional development. We dont want war anymore. We want peace and prosperity. And for that we need to work in close collaboration with our neighbours.