On the afternoon of July 7, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who is here for a working visit. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on further developing China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership and other issues of common concern and reached broad consensus.
Hu said that China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership has shown a strong growth momentum in recent years with frequent high-level exchanges, closer economic and trade ties, ever expanding pragmatic cooperation and smooth progress made in key cooperation projects. Both sides have also shown mutual understanding and support on major issues concerning each other’s core interests. China and Pakistan are good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers, and China would work with Pakistan to push forward the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership in a comprehensive manner so as to contribute to regional peace and stability and common development, said Hu.
Zardari said that Pakistan-China traditional friendship, which has been forged and cultivated by several generations of leaders of the two countries, is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. The Pakistani government and people thank for the long-standing support and assistance that China has offered for Pakistan’s economic and social development. Pakistan is actively committed to safeguarding national stability and promoting economic growth and hopes to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation with China and continuously advance bilateral strategic cooperative partnership. Pakistan will continue to firmly support China on issues concerning the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and other major issues.
Hu said the leaders of the two countries can make use of various occasions to have regular meetings and contacts and coordinate closely on major issues. Hu said China would deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation by exploring new ways to expand trade and fostering new trade growth points. China is ready to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in such areas as energy, transportation, telecommunication and infrastructure, share experience on agricultural development and raise the level of agricultural production. China is ready to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges with Pakistan, especially youth contacts, and strengthen cooperation in culture, education, health and journalism. The 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties falls in 2011 and the two countries should prepare early for the celebrations, said Hu. China and Pakistan are both victims of terrorism, and the anti-terror cooperation between the two countries on fighting the "three forces" complies with the interests of both peoples and is conducive to peace, stability and security in the region, said Hu. Hu appreciated the efforts the Pakistani government had made to safeguard the security of Chinese nationals and organizations in Pakistan. Hu said China attached importance to Pakistan's unique influence and role in regional affairs, and China would enhance coordination with Pakistan within the framework of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China would continue to maintain communication and coordination with Pakistan on major international issues like the reform of the UN Security Council and climate change in order to ensure the common interests of the developing countries, said Hu.
Zardari said Pakistan is ready to maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political dialogue with China. He hoped the two countries could tap potential for trade cooperation and further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in areas like energy, finance and transportation. He also invited more Chinese firms to invest in Pakistan, adding Pakistan would create a secure and sound environment for Chinese firms. Zardari said he supported efforts of the two countries to enhance humanities exchanges and youth contacts and to carry forward the traditional friendship. He said Pakistan and China should work together to combat the "three forces" so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region. Pakistan is ready to strengthen cooperation with China on major international issues and jointly cope with various global challenges.
Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, which cover areas such as agriculture, health, justice, journalism, economy and technology.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Transport Li Shenglin, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Minister of Health Chen Zhu, Director General of National Energy Bureau Zhang Guobao and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian attended the above activities.