Pakistan, China Agree to Further Enhance Cooperation in National DefensePakistani President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar and Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf Friday held separate meetings with visiting Chief of General Staff of the Chinese Liberation Army Fu Quanyou, agreeing that the two countries which had been enjoying traditional friendship and long- time cooperation would further enhance their bilateral relations with a focus on defense.During talks with Fu, Tarar termed close cooperation between Pakistan and China in various fields as important guarantee for peace and stability in South Asia. He expressed that regular exchange visits by high level delegations from both sides would further bolster the existing relationship. Musharraf said that Pakistan and China had common perspectives on a vast range of issues. He hoped the two countries could strengthen the cooperation on national defense in order to play due roles in protecting regional stability and world peace. Both Tarar and Musharraf spoke highly of the courage and wisdom displayed by the Chinese government in dealing with the air craft collision incident between China and the United States. On the occasions, Fu said the Chinese government attached great significance to Sino-Pakistan relations and would keep devoting itself to the maintenance of regional and world peace through improving comprehensive bilateral ties with Pakistan on the basis of mutual benefit and cooperation, especially in the field of national defense. He also thanked the Pakistani government's steady support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights. Fu, on the invitation of Musharraf, arrived here on Thursday night for a five-day visit which constitutes a part of the year- long celebrations of the golden jubilee of the two nations' diplomatic relations. |
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