Pakistani FM Hopes to Cement Economic Ties With ChinaPakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, who is going on a 4-day visit to China from April 16 to 19, said that his visit would focus on cementing bilateral economic and industrial cooperation, according to a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on Saturday.The report cited Sattar as saying that being part of traditional close consultations between Pakistan and China on matters of mutual interest, "the main purpose of my visit is promotion of economic cooperation." "The visit will provide a valuable opportunity for the exchange of views on regional and international developments," said Sattar. He described the Sino-Pak relation as "an all-weather friendship," saying "it is enduring like the Karakorum Mountains; it is an evergreen tree with deep roots." Sattar also noted that China's principled policy plays a pivotal role in support of peace and stability. Opposed to hegemony in world affairs, China understands Pakistan's policy of safeguarding the right to sovereign equality against policies of domination and dictation, he added. During his visit, the foreign minister will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. He will also call on Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Dai Bingguo, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement. Pakistan and China are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Several high-level visits have been arranged during the year-long celebrations between the two sides. |
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