President Jiang Interviewed by Pakistani Correspondent

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 19, 2001

President Jiang Interviewed by Pakistani Correspondent

Chinese President Jiang Zemin accepted an interview Tuesday by Javed Akhter, a Beijing-based correspondent of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Jiang recalled the long-term friendship between the two country and said China is willing to give continued aid to Pakistan and promote the two-way trade and economic cooperation. The two countries have maintained close consultation and cooperation following the 911 Incident, Jiang said.

Long-term Friendship Maintained

On the Sino-Pakistani relations, Jiang said China and Pakistan are close neighbors with traditional friendship, and their friendship has withstood the test of time since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 50 years ago.

The two countries have also established all-weather friendly and cooperative ties through mutual trust and support, and their friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples, Jiang said.

China cherishes this friendship and values the development of the bilateral friendly and cooperative ties, Jiang noted.

Two-way Trade, Economic Cooperation to be Promoted

China is willing to give continued aid to Pakistan and promote the two-way trade and economic cooperation to benefit the two nations and peoples, Jiang said.

The Chinese president believes that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's upcoming China visit will forcefully further the two countries' all-round cooperative partnership.

On Issue of Afghanistan

Touching on the issue of Afghanistan, Jiang said as neighbors of both China and Pakistan, Afghanistan's peace and stability means a great deal to both nations.

Pakistan and China have maintained close consultation and cooperation following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., and have played a constructive role in promoting the just and reasonable solution of the Afghan issue.

China and Pakistan

Political Relations

Pakistan is one of the first to recognize the People's Republic of China. On 21st May 1951, China and Pakistan established diplomatic ties. From then on, China and Pakistan have been enjoying a good neighborly relationship and mutual beneficial cooperation on the bases of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.

In 1980's, the leadership of China and Pakistan exchanged visits frequently. The international situation went through great changes in 1990's but the time-tested Sino-Pakistani friendship and cooperation withstood all international vicissitudes and continued to march forward.

China's Trade with Pakistan

(million US dollars)

Year	Value	Exports	Imports	Balance
1993	848.63	752.22	96.41	655.81
1994	768.00	606.00	162.00	444.00
1995	1010.80	787.68	223.12	564.56
1996	963.75	621.48	342.27	279.21
1997	1067.0	688.00	379.00	309.00
1998	913.00	524.00	389.00	135.00
1999	971.00	581.00	390.00	191.00
2000	1162.00	670.00	492.00	178.00

Sino-Pakistani Culture Exchanges

China and Pakistan are friendly to each other and keep close ties in cultural exchanges. The representatives of the two governments signed culture agreement in Rawalpindi in March 1965 and for the first time two sides signed the Implementation Program of Annual Cultural Exchanges. Up to now, there have been 9 implementation programs between the two countries.

Source from website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

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