| President Jiang Zemin Holds Talks with Visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf |
| 2004/06/16 |
On December 20, 2001, President Jiang Zemin held talks with visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Extending warm welcome to President Musharraf, Jiang noted that Musharraf is a familiar friend of China and has made great contributions to the development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples, for which China expresses its appreciation. He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, adding that Musharraf's visit to China will give a strong boost to the all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Speaking highly of China-Pakistan relations, Jiang noted that China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and waters and the two peoples cherish friendly sentiments towards each other. He went on to say that bilateral relations and friendship have withstood vicissitudes in international situations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 50 years ago, adding that bilateral relations have been continuously deepened and advanced and the all-round partnership between the two countries has come to be featured by true friendship, mutual trust, mutual benefit and cooperation. He said that despite different social systems, ideologies and political beliefs, both countries have gone beyond these differences and continued their all-weather cooperation in all fields by practicing Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. He noted that history has proven that China-Pakistan friendship conforms to the strategic interests of the two countries, represents the common aspirations of the two peoples and contributes to regional and world peace. He said that the two countries should further consolidate their traditional friendship, intensify their exchanges at all levels and groom successors devoted to bilateral friendship so that bilateral friendly relations and cooperation will enjoy even greater development in the new century and China-Pakistan friendship can be carried on from generation to generation. He noted that both being developing countries, China and Pakistan share extensive common ground in regional and international affairs, adding that both sides should further their coordination and cooperation, safeguard the legal rights and interests of all developing countries including China and Pakistan, and maintain peace and stability in South Asia and the world at large.
On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said China and Pakistan are compatible in the economic area and bilateral economic cooperation and trade have achieved notable progress in the past 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties. He went on to say that China is willing to assist Pakistan within its means, facilitate cooperation between the entrepreneurs of the two countries and encourage them to increase contacts, adding that China will continue to support competent Chinese corporations in investment or contracting projects in Pakistan.
Jiang said that as a friendly neighbor, China has been following the developments of situations in Pakistan, adding that China is glad to see that Pakistan has withstood the dramatic changes after the September 11 Incident, and stabilized the situation, rejuvenated its economy and improved its external environment under the leadership of Musharraf. He expressed the belief that President Musharraf and the Pakistani government are capable of handling their domestic problems well and will be able to overcome the temporary difficulties facing them. He went on to say that China considers Pakistan an important nation in the region and political stability in Pakistan is not only in the interests of the Pakistani people, but also affects regional peace and stability, adding that China, a reliable friend of Pakistan, will consistently support the country's efforts to ensure stability, development and regional peace and prosperity.
Jiang elaborated on China's views on the current international situations. On the Afghan issue, Jiang said that factions in Afghanistan have agreed to set up an interim government which will be put into place in two days with the help of the United Nations, which marks a new beginning of peace and stability in Afghanistan after all these years of war. He said that it is China's hope that factions in Afghanistan can set store by their national interests and peace, earnestly implement the agreements already reached and do more to facilitate national reconciliation so that the Afghan people can live in peace and tranquility at an early date. He went on to say that the destiny of Afghanistan should be determined by the Afghan people, adding that UN should also play a role in the political settlement of the Afghan issue and China supports the UN's efforts in this regard. He said that China supports Pakistan, one of the important neighboring countries of Afghanistan, in playing a positive role in the peace process of Afghanistan. Jiang noted that China has provided aid to Afghanistan through UN agencies throughout the years, adding that the Chinese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan interim government valued at 30 million yuan. He said that China will take an active part in the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan as normalcy is gradually restored in Afghanistan.
Expressing pleasure of leading a delegation to pay an official visit to China and gratitude for China's warm, friendly and considerate reception, Musharraf recalled the 50-year history of China-Pakistan relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties. He noted that bilateral cooperation has withstood the test of time, adding that China is Pakistan's trustworthy friend. He said that developing all-round cooperation with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, adding that the two countries share extensive common ground in a series of major regional and international affairs. Expressing satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations, he spoke highly of china's staunch support to Pakistan in all areas and was convinced that traditional friendly relations between the two countries will be carried on from generation to generation.
He congratulated China on its accession to WTO and believed that China's entry will enhance developing countries' role and influence in WTO. He also briefed Jiang on the domestic political and economic situations of Pakistan, pointing out that the Pakistani government is pressing ahead with strategic steps as reforming the country and revitalizing the economy which have already been laid down.
On international situations and Pakistan's relations with other countries, Musharraf completely agreed with Jiang's analysis about the current international situations and briefed Jiang on Pakistan's basic stance on the Afghan issue and the status of relations between Pakistan and other countries concerned. Expressing satisfaction with the implementation of the Bonn Agreement on the Afghan issue, he expressed the hope that military action in Afghanistan will come to an end as soon as possible. He said that the imperative now is to properly solve the Afghan refugee problem, make sure that the Afghan interim government enjoy full rights and see to it that the Afghan transitional government to be set up in 6 months will be able to strike a better balance on the representation problem of the Afghan ethnic groups. He said that it is the sincere hope of Pakistan that national reconciliation and durable peace can be achieved in Afghanistan.
Musharraf invited Jiang to revisit Pakistan, for which Jiang expressed his thanks.
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