Wen vows to boost strategic, trade ties

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Sunday pledged to strengthen strategic, trade and economic ties by brazening out all challenges, and vowed to stand by Pakistan to further deepen the all-weather friendship between the two countries in a bid to bring peace and stability in the region.
"China welcomes Pakistan''s effort to exploit the preferential terms in the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to increase Pakistan''s exports to China," Jaibao said while addressing the joint sitting of Parliament amid thumping of desks.
Premier Wen Jiabao, who is the first Chinese Prime Minster and 6th world dignitary to address the joint-sitting, began his speech by greeting the parliamentarians with "Assalam-o-Alaikum", and said: "Let''s stand together, with a new confidence, to start a new era of progress and prosperity, by jointly brazening out all challenges."
"The Industrial and Commerce Bank of China (ICBC) has been granted permission to open branches in Islamabad and Karachi, and China is also willing to ink a currency swap deal with Pakistan," he said, adding that China supports Pakistan for economic sovereignty and is keen to see it making progress in all spheres through enhanced trade and business ties.
"China will support Pakistan in bilateral trade, investment, energy, transport, education, infrastructure and other areas," he said, adding that during his visit to Pakistan, the two countries have inked business deals worth $10 billion which reflects a wide scope of economic and trade growth between the two countries.
He said that Pakistan would benefit from the bilateral trade deals and would increase its exports to China. The Chinese Premier said that Pak-China strategic relations would be enhanced and vowed to fulfil all commitments and promises made with Pakistan. "Sino-Pak relations have developed strong roots with the passage of time and both countries have always been helping each other at difficult times," he said.
Jiabao called for joint efforts to meet challenges and promote harmonious and sustainable development of the world.
"China''s stance against terrorism is clear, and it must not be linked to any particular country, ethnic or religion," he said, adding that in this regard, there should be no dual standard in this region. He said that the root causes of terrorism should be found for remedy, and the international community should support Pakistan to curb the menace of terrorism.
He said that China''s stance was clear and consistent, and the international community should make sincere efforts to promote co-operation to eliminate terrorism in the region. "Let''s stand together, with a new confidence, and begin a new era of progress and prosperity, by jointly confronting all challenges," he added.
He said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and share the sorrows and joys of each other as close brothers. He said that both countries had reached the present stage after passing through difficult phases. Jiabao said that people in Pakistan believe that a good neighbour is a blessing while "we in China say it is better to have a good neighbour than a relative, who lives far away".
"I am every thankful to Pakistani nation for their warm welcome during my visit here. When I arrived here, I felt as I am at home - China and Pakistan will always remain as brotherly nations", he remarked.
The Chinese Premier said that several Chinese have laid down their lives to help their Pakistani brethren and added that they risked their lives in search, relief and rescue of flood affected people. Similarly, he said, Pakistanis rescued 268 Chinese workers in Pakistan, which is commendable. "The friendship between the two countries has deep roots, and it runs in our blood," he said.
Today, Jibao said, Pakistan is passing through a difficult phase as it is facing many challenges and problems. But the government and people of Pakistan are determined to tackle these challenges and would move ahead, he said. He said that the government and people of Pakistan are united and they are moving forward to safeguard solidarity, prosperity and sovereignty of the country.
He said that Sino-Pak friendship has deepened and their relations are like a rock and it has passed many testing times. He said that Pakistan has always supported China in all those critical times, mentioning that it stood by it whether it was the issue of membership to UN General Assembly, relations between US and China, or on issues pertaining to Taiwan, Tibet and Sinkiang.
He said that international community was also cognisant of the struggle and efforts being made by the people of Pakistan in facing difficulties and have assured their full support. The Prime Minister said that it was the joint strategic vision of China and Pakistan to have an all-weather strategic partnership. He said that both countries protected the interests of each other at international community. It was in conformity with the national interests of the peoples of the two countries.
Premier Wen Jiabao termed the Pak-China friendship as a pine tree that remains evergreen despite the harshest of winters, and it has stood the test of time like a strong horse, whose worth is known only when it accomplishes a long journey.
He said that China would assist Pakistan in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process for earthquake affected areas.
He said that China would increase co-operation in the fields of education and culture. "The 2011 year will be celebrated as part of their 60th anniversary and lead to more exchanges in this regard.
He said that China would provide 500 scholarships to Pakistani students and conduct 2000 cataract operations in next two years. He said that as many as 100 Pakistani students would participate in Chinese language program in China next year. "I hope that more Pakistanis will visit China and learn the language," he said.
In a vote of thanks to the address of the Chinese premier to the joint session of Parliament, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pak-China friendship "is sweeter than honey", and that Sino-Pak friendship is in the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan, "and Pakistan considers China as a true and most reliable friend".
Gilani added: "The destiny of both nations is inextricably linked, and we share each other''s joys and sorrows". He said China''s moral voice and principled position on global issues evokes respect and admiration.
Referring to the comments of President Hu Jintao, who described Pakistan and China as "truly good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers", the Prime Minister said the friendship was "higher than mountains and deeper than oceans". He said that as China''s true friend and sincere well-wisher, Pakistan rejoiced in the glorious successes achieved by their Chinese brethren. He said all political parties, all parliamentarians, and the whole nation stands united in determination to take the friendship and partnership with China to even greater heights.