Pakistani prime minister gives exclusive interview to Xinhuanet

（Xinhua）  09:35, July 06, 2013  

BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Following is the transcript of the Xinhuanet's exclusive interview of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif:

Anchor: Mr. Prime Minister, congratulations on your re-election as Prime Minister of Pakistan! China is the first destination of your foreign visit after taking office, what do you expect of this visit?

Nawaz Sharif: I am here to renew my friendship with the Chinese leaders. When I said my friendship, I means the Pakistan’s friendship with China. In all areas China is great friend of Pakistan.

I am here to contribute, to further strengthen the ties between China and Pakistan. It is always been my endeavor to contribute to and again to take this friendship to better heights. You know we have excellent economic ties with China. So I come here to enhance this relationship with China. Pakistan is focusing on its economy. Economy is No.1 on our agenda. For that there can’t be anything better than cooperation with China. So we have very useful suggestions (from) the president and the prime minister. I am very confident that the two sides are going to harvest the full potential of the bilateral relationship in the coming days.

Anchor: China and Pakistan are all-weather friends. What’s your opinion about developing China-Pakistan relationship? In which areas can our two countries have more exchanges and cooperation?

Nawaz Sharif: China and Pakistan together have done a lot in the past, and as I mentioned we have grow into an association, and make it extend into different fields. And other than that, China is the example of all the world. The rapid economic development is achieved. So we are happy when we see that China’s economy is the second in the world now. It’s the No. 2 in the world. So we shared that happiness and joy with China. Therefore, my visit to China are not only to strengthen the friendship between the two countries, but also to create the economic cooperation, trade, business and investment to much more areas.

Anchor: The international situation is undergoing fundamental changes, and South Asia is an important area. What do you think about the current situation in South Asia? And what are the ideas and measures Pakistan has for maintaining peace and stability in this region?

Nawaz Sharif: We have investment, and we have linkages with each other in South Asia-- China, Pakistan, South Asian countries, and SAARC countries. I think it is going to be beneficial to at least 3 billion people of the world in this region. And 3 billion, you know is half the population of the world. So half of the population live in this region. This population is going to be highly benefited. I believe that China & Pakistan economic corridor is going to open the gate for this cooperation with all the other countries in this region.

Anchor: Once again, thanks very much for offering us the chance to have this interview, Bye-bye.