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Journalism of Courage
Pakistan and China on Friday agreed to further strengthen their deep-rooted strategic relationship by enhancing cooperation in fields like energy,technology and infrastructure even as they signed 13 pacts and MoUs worth over $10 billion.
The agreement to boost the all weather relationship between the two countries was reached during one-to-one and delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his visiting Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.
China wants to deepen its strategic partnership with Pakistan in view of complex and fluid international and regional circumstances, Wen said,as he began a landmark three-day visit to the country,after his two-day visit to India.
China pledged full support to Pakistans sovereignty,security and political integrity and extended strong support for enhancing defence and economic cooperation and boosting Pakistans space programme.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said agreements worth a total of $24 billion will be signed during the visit of the Chinese Premier. He said the Chinese also extended support for Pakistans energy programmes to help it meet its growing power needs. China will provide about $200 million in grants to support Pakistan in the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged during the unprecedented floods earlier this year and the repair of the Karakorum Highway.
Gilani and Wen also exchanged views on regional and international issues. The talks focussed on building a mutually beneficial economic partnership and developing wider cooperation on regional and international affairs,officials said.
Wen used more than $16 billion in trade deals and promises of political support to charm India into temporarily setting aside disputes with China. But Pakistan is getting even sweeter deals, a government official said.
