BEIJING: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that "when a new challenge emerges, it only brings China and Pakistan more closer.
"We have a natural convergence of interests, which could be reflected not only in a bilateral relationship but also in other multilateral forums," she told China Daily in an exclusive interview.
Hina Rabbani Khar, the youngest and first female foreign minister of Pakistan was on a two days official visit to China that concluded on Wednesday.
She pointed out that China and Pakistan will seek "more robust" ties on counter-terrorism through existing cooperation and mechanisms.
Both countries, Khar said share common interests in building a better relationship to combat terrorism.
"Terrorism is against the national interests of the two countries and also against the common goals of economic development and integration," she remarked.
Upon her arrival in Beijing on Tuesday, Khar said China and Pakistan enjoy a unique relationship.
Khar said China is one of the countries that Pakistan has signed a free trade agreement with. Further economic cooperation also could be achieved through regional economic integration, she said.
With Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari scheduled to visit northeastern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region at the end of this month, the 34-year-old foreign minister sees "huge potential" in Pakistan forming closer ties with the region, which will bring the people of the two countries closer, achieve economic integration and enhance the living standards of both countries.
"This will be very robust. Economic activities will be greatly enhanced between the two regions," she said, noting that efforts are being made to create a common economic zone.
Khar said there are pros and cons to being the youngest foreign minister in Pakistan's history, but she said her seven years of experience in the federal government dealing with economic cooperation make her prepared for the job.
The Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khan in his opening remarks at a reception arranged at Pakistan Embassy Wednesday which was largely attended by top Chinese think tanks, scholars, traders and media persons said that Khar has been parliamentarian since 2002 and in various capacities she had been the lead person in Pakistan's economic diplomacy.
On Wednesday, Khar met Premier Wen Jiabao and her counterpart Yang Jiechi.
Her talks with Chinese leadership, the Ambassador said covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reviewed regional and international situations that impinge on the shared interests of Pakistan and China.
Khar said her ability to develop a peaceful foreign policy that fits Pakistan is a more important issue than her age and gender.
Since moving into the office, Khar has been committed to establishing a stable and peaceful relationship with Pakistan's neighbors.
She said the difficulties in the relationship between Pakistan and India should not be simply passed to the next generation. Besides the unresolved core issues, mutual trust must be built by looking at other topics, she added.
Khar also reiterated the significance of sovereignty when cooperating with the US.
She said two sides have strategic interests in combating terrorism in the region, but "any policy related to Pakistan should take the grand reality of this country into consideration".
Yang said this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan as well as the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship, which generates new opportunities for bilateral relations.
China is willing to take the opportunities to work with Pakistan in elevating the two countries' strategic and cooperative partnership, Yang added.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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