China vows to stand by Pakistan: economic, technical cooperation pacts signed

Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu has said that his country will stand by Pakistan in every hour of need. Talking to newsmen after his arrival here on Monday, he said that Sino-Pak friendship is all-weather and time-tested. Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik received the honourable guest at Chaklala Airport. The Chinese vice premier said his country would stand by Pakistan at this critical juncture.
Later, in his meeting with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shameem Wynne, the Chinese vice premier appreciated the role of Pakistan armed forces in the fight against terrorism. During the meeting both the leaders discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests and the emerging geo-strategic situation in the region.
General Wynne highlighted the mutual interests of Pakistan and China, both in security and economic arenas. The Chinese vice premier will have a meeting with Interior Minister Rehman Malik toady. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha will also have a meeting with Meng Jianzhu. The Chinese leader will leave for his homeland after having a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
A press release released from Islamabad adds: Pakistan and China on Monday night signed a number of agreements in economic and technical co-operation, relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of some damaged parts of National Highways networks at a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr that was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari, State Counsellor of China, federal ministers, Governor and Chief Minister GB and members of the visiting Chinese delegation. The agreements signed involved about $250 million of Chinese assistance.
Spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar said that in two rounds of talks at the Presidency, matters concerning Pak-China relations, mutual co-operation, regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh came under discussion. Those who attended the meeting included Ambassador Liu Jian, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister Zhou Qing, Assistant Minister Chneg Guoping and Li Wei, DG MFA and former Ambassador Luo Zhaohui and other senior officials.
Pakistan side included Rehman Malik, Syed Naveed Qamar, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Chairperson BISP Farzana Raja, CM Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pak Ambassador in China Masood Khan and other senior officials.
Babar said that the Chinese leader reaffirmed China's continuing support to Pakistan in its fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability. The President thanked China for its support to Pakistan on the issues of all major concern to the country and its people.
The President said that Pakistan at present was passing through a critical phase where it was battling to purge the curses of militant mindset and facing the worst floods which have caused huge losses to the economy. He said that in these peculiar circumstances when the country was grappling with many challenges simultaneously, Chinese assistance would be helpful in stabilising the situation.