Musharraf Hopes Further Cooperation with China

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

Musharraf Hopes Further Cooperation with China

"I am looking forward to my visit to China as it would afford us an opportunity to review our bilateral relations with a view to further deepening and intensifying them," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in an interview with Chinese journalists in Islamabad on the eve of his visit to China beginning December 20.

Pakistan-China Friendship

"Pakistan-China friendship is based on shared interests in regional stability, UN Charter and the five principles of Peaceful Co-existance. We consider our time-tested ties with China as cornerstone of our foreign policy and China as our most important and trusted friend," He said.

"While we are resolved to further strengthen our multi-dimensional cooperation in the new century, Pakistan-China friendship is not directed against any third country. It is an important factor for peace and stability in south Asia and has assumed greater significance in the changing regional and international situation," Musharraf stressed.

Further Cooperation

Musharraf said, "The trade and economic ties between our two countries are important part of our bilateral cooperation. However, we feel that considerable potential for enhancing further collaboration in these fields exists. We need to bring them at par with our remarkably strong political and strategic cooperation."

Open All Sectors of Economy to China

Musharraf said that Pakistan's policy is being further liberalized to open all sectors of the economy, agriculture, services infrastructure, and social services to foreign direct investment, as Chinese companies can benefit from these opportunities by investing in Pakistan.

He said that he believed that his visit to China would help build upon the foundation of economic cooperation laid earlier this year by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Pakistan.

Pakistan---China Relations

Basic Data:

Diplomatic Relations:

Established in May 21, 1951

Trade with China in 2000 (Major Items):

US$ 651.853 m (Hong Kong excluded)

Exports : 180.326 m

Imports : 471.527 m

Direct Investment from China

Several Chinese companies have begun 218 projects with a total contract value of US$ 4.123 billion. These included: hydro power station building project at Chashma, and roads and highways. Chinese companies committed US$ 750 million in these projects. Out of the 218 projects, 161 have been completed and 57 are under construction.

Profile of Pervez Musharraf

General Pervez Musharraf, the second of three brothers, was born to an educated Syed family on August 11, 1943 in Delhi. After the creation of Pakistan the family chose to settle in Karachi. His father, the late Syed Musharaff-ud-Din a career diplomat retired in 1974 while his mother successfully devoted her time between caring for her family and serving the International Labour Organization, retired in 1987.

He joined the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961 and was commissioned in an elite Artillery Regiment in 1964. He saw action in 1965 war as a young officer in the Khem Karan, Lahore and Sialkot Sectors with a self propelled Artillery Regiment. He was awarded Imtiazi Sanad for gallantry. He later volunteered and served for seven years in the Special Service Group "Commandos". He also participated in the 1971 war as Company Commander in a Commando Battalion.

General Pervez Musharraf took oath as President of Pakistan on June 20, 2001.

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