Prime Minister Jalami left for China today ISLAMABAD, March 24 (KUNA) - The Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali left Islamabad for Beijing Monday morning on a three-day state visit to China at the invitation of the newly elected Chinese leadership.
Talking to newsmen before departure, the Prime Minister said both Pakistan and China enjoy old, strong and lasting relationship. It is their desire to further cement these relations.
Prime minister Jamali said he would exchange views with the Chinese leadership to further enhance bilateral relations. The two countries are already cooperating in a number of projects including Gwadar Port and Saindak Copper and in economic field.
He said the international situation demands that the two neighbourly countries hold dialogue and consult each other.
Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will hold formal talks on Monday to discuss wide-ranging issues of bilateral, regional and international concern.
The two leaders will particularly deliberate upon latest developments relating to on-going war against Iraq in order to adopt a common strategy averting human disaster and alleviating the sufferings of the Iraqi people, a foreign office official told KUNA here today. Prime Minister Jamali is scheduled to meet the Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday.
The Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has expressed the confidence that the visit of the Prime Minister to China would be successful.
The Information Minister who is accompanying the Prime Minister told newsmen that Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is the first guest of the new Chinese government and is carrying a message of goodwill for the people and government of Peoples Republic of China.
"China is a time-tested friend and a trusted neighbour of Pakistan, which has always supported us through thick and thin," the minister said. "Pakistan and China have adopted unanimous stand based on equity, justice and fair play on various global issues and have jointly endeavoured to achieve the goal of regional and global peace," he added.
Pakistan and China would sign agreements in various fields including power generation, expansion and rehabilitation of Pakistan Railways, attracting Chinese investment in Export Processing Zones and defense fields during the Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali visit.
China will provide approximately USD 500 million to Pakistan for new railway engines, new tracks and coaches.
The prime minister would be warmly received at the Beijing airport by the Deputy Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, and will be driven straight to the Diaoyutai State Guest House. - Later, they will leave for the Great Hall where the new Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, will formally receive Jamali at an official ceremony. Both the prime ministers would lead their respective sides during the official talks to be held after the welcome reception. A signing ceremony would also be held on the occasion.
The Chinese prime minister would host a banquet in honour of his Pakistani counterpart. On March 25, Chinese Defence Minister General Cao Gangehun will call on Prime Minister Jamali.
Jamali will deliver a speech on Pakistan's policy on peace and security in South Asia at a reception being hosted by the Vice-Chairperson of the National People's Congress (NPC) and President of China People's Association for Peace and Disarmament He Lu.
Prime Minister Jamali will meet new Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chairman Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo and Chairman Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin.
The prime minister and his entourage would leave Beijing for home on March 26. (end) myk.ja