China to continue backing Pak

BEIJING, JANUARY 17: China on Monday offered the much-needed backing to Pakistan's military government declaring that it would continue to...

BEIJING, JANUARY 17: China on Monday offered the much-needed backing to Pakistan8217;s military government declaring that it would continue to foster its quot;comprehensive partnershipquot; with Islamabad irrespective of changes taking place internationally or domestically.

The Chinese backing came during a meeting here between its premier Zhu Rongji and visiting Pakistan8217;s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who is here on a two-day official visit, his first outside the Islamic world after taking over reins of power in a coup on October 12 last.

Zhu welcomed Gen Musharraf as quot;the first important guest of the new millenniumquot; and said quot;no matter what changes occur internationally or domestically, the Chinese government will continue to foster its comprehensive partnership with Pakistan.quot;

quot;The internal affairs of a country should and must be handled by its own people, which is not only the core of the five principles of co-existence Panchsheel, but also a basic policy China has steadfastly pursued and carriedout in handling relations between different countries,quot; the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Zhu as saying.

He, however, hoped that the new Pakistan government would 8220;properly handle8221; various issues facing the country and will have more understanding and support from the international community.

The state-run television CCTV said Gen Musharraf briefed Zhu on the internal situation in Pakistan and the steps taken by his administration to improve peace and stability in South Asia.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, had said after the coup that people of that country were mature enough to decide their own affairs. Pakistan8217;s military regime is facing intense pressure from the West to restore democracy in the country within a time-frame

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Zhu said Gen Musharraf8217;s visit would quot;further develop Sino-Pakistani relation and enhance understanding and trustquot; and the bilateral ties will witness further development in the new millennium.

He noted that Sino-Pakistani relations have developed sincethe two countries adhered to Panchsheel and said the Chinese government would continue to follow this basic policy.

The Chinese premier said Gen Musharraf8217;s visit is of 8220;great practical and far-reaching significance and in line with the fundamental interest8221; of the people of the two countries, and to further consolidate and strengthen the Sino-Pakistani quot;comprehensive cooperative partnership, given the continuously changing regional and international situationquot;.