Zardari in China

Asif Ali Zardari8217;s first visit to China as president has been covered comprehensively by the Pakistani press.

Asif Ali Zardari8217;s first visit to China as president has been covered comprehensively by the Pakistani press. Dawn October 16 reports: 8220;Pakistan and China signed here on Wednesday 12 agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols to enhance cooperation on a sound footing in various sectors, including infrastructure, information technology, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology8221;. The report adds, 8220;President Hu Jintao and President Zardari expressed satisfaction over the growth of Pakistan-China relations and agreed that their friendship had emerged stronger with every important change in the international, regional and domestic environment8221;.

China has also assured Pakistan full support on the economic front. Dawn October 17 reports: 8220;China vowed on Thursday to do what it could to help Pakistan avert financial disaster as President Asif Ali Zardari continued an official visit aimed at rustling up crucial Chinese investments8221;.

Apart from his own country8217;s press, The Chinese press also played up his visit. Says The News October 17 8220;Chinese print and electronic media gave wide publicity and projection to President Asif Ali Zardari8217;s first 4-day state visit to China, highlighting strengths and warmth of the time-tested bilateral partnership. The English newspaper of mass circulation, China Daily, carried a front page story with banner headline 8216;Visit cements all-weather partnership8217;.8221; In another report The News quotes I038;B minister Sherry Rehman as saying 8220; President Asif Ali Zardari8217;s visit to China reflects the present government8217;s special relationship and reinforcement of all weather, time-tested friendship between the two countries8221;.

An editorial in The News praises the visit, but also reflects some cynicism, saying, 8220;Friendship should go beyond the signing of documents or the hosting of elaborate banquets. Friends, after all, should learn from each other 8212; and China has much it can teach Pakistan8230; Pakistan perhaps needs to look at what lessons it can learn from China8230;We must hope that along with their sheaves of paper, their gifts and their souvenirs, Pakistan8217;s high-powered delegation also brings back with it some of the commitment that has underpinned China8217;s progress8230;8221;

The world pitches in

The international community has offered Pakistan assistance in preventing a possible meltdown. Says Dawn October 17 8220; The international community has agreed to provide 4 billion that Pakistan needs to avoid bankruptcy, but in return Islamabad will have to undertake a series of painful economic reforms. 8220; The report further says 8220;During the current financial year, the World Bank will provide 1.4 billion. If Pakistan8217;s programmes are approved, its IDA share will also be front-loaded. This includes a total 3 billion of international development assistance over three years, from 2008-2011.8221; The report also lists some of the conditions agreed to : 8220;Pakistan pledged to reduce its fiscal deficit from 7.7 per cent of the GDP last year to 4.3 per cent of the GDP this year. Pakistan agreed to reform its tax policy and tax administration with the aim to mobilise additional revenue8230;Pakistan also pledged to reduce State Bank borrowing.8221;

Referring to this development, The News reports: 8220;The US played a vital role in these talks. A US official present in the talks told there was a real panic in the Pakistani side, adding Pakistani diplomats made 10 visits to the US during the last 10 days.8221;