Date : 24/03/2003
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)
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