China, Pakistan Pledge to Expand Trade, Economic CooperationChinese and Pakistani officials pledged Monday that the two sides will work together to bring bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a higher level in the new century.Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) Shi Guangsheng and Pakistani Minister of Finance Shaukat Aziz made the pledge during the 11th session of the China-Pakistan Joint Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation Commission, which opened in Beijing on Monday. Shi said that the all-weather friendly relations between China and Pakistan have resulted in a mutually beneficial, friendly and cooperative trade and economic relationship. China pays great attention to its economic and trade ties with Pakistan. The Chinese delegation attending the two-day session included officials from the MOFTEC, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Import and Export Bank of China, Bank of China and some business executives. Shi described the economic and trade relations between China and Pakistan as "healthy, comprehensive and mutually beneficial." He stressed that China is determined to expand the existing economic and trade ties with Pakistan to a new level. He proposed that the two sides increase trade of commodities, select a few key projects for cooperation and explore new ways of cooperation. Aziz said that the relations between Pakistan and China are of historical and far-reaching significance. He added that the two countries should pay more attention to bilateral economic relations in the new century as they have conducted good cooperation in the political, economic and scientific and technological areas. The Pakistani minister said that he hopes Chinese firms will actively participate in the construction of Pakistan's agricultural undertakings, railways and ports. |
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