Pak to have long-term economic cooperation with China

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari said he was looking forward to a long-term economic co-operation with China and said his state visit to the neighbouring country will focus on trade and economic ties.

Talking to official Chinese news agency Xinhua, prior to his departure on his four-day visit to China, the President said he expected to prioritise economic ties in his talks with the Chinese leadership.

Zardari said he has a long-term economic co-operation plan with China. 'The concept of Pakistan-China relationships are not a five-year plan,' he said, referring to the programme for economic and trade co-operation signed between the two counties during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit in 2006. The two countries agreed to increase their bilateral trade volume to 15 billion US dollars by 2011.

He said 'I am the first businessman president of Pakistan. So we have a lot of cultural and friendly ties, but that is not properly depicted by our economic relationship,' Zardari said. President Zardari said he was keen on ways to lead the country out of the current economic difficulties by enhancing co-operation with China.

'I am looking forward to visiting China, I have not been to China for the last 24 years. China has changed since I last was there. I am hoping to remind the leadership of the world how close our relationships are,' Zardari said.

The President said he would like to visit China 'every three months,' to know more about the Chinese economy and seek potential co-operation in all areas. About the changes occurring in China in the past 30 years since its reform and opening-up, President Zardari said he was deeply impressed by China's achievements, and success on its own, especially its transition to the socialist market economy 'with perfection.'

'China is the future of the world,' he said. 'A strong China means a strong Pakistan.' The President pledged further co-operation with China in energy, finance and agriculture. To a question on anti-terrorism, Zardari said Pakistan and China will carry out close co-operation in this regard.

'We need commonality to fight terrorism,' he said. President Zardari said the country was ready for the impending challenges and difficulties. 'Governance is all about standing up for challenges, and I stood up for challenges all my life,' Zardari said.

The two countries are expected to ink several agreements during the visit besides interactions with heads of Chinese financial institutions and corporate sector.