WUHAN: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here Friday on his second visit to China in four months, seeking cooperation in energy and agriculture sector. He was warmly received at the airport by Vice Governor of Hubei Duan Lun Yi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan, Chinese ambassador in Islamabad Lou Zhao, senior Chinese and Pakistani government officials. Two children in traditional Chinese dresses presented President Zardari with bouquets.During the important visit, at the invitation of Chinese government, President Zardari will seek China’s cooperation in the fields of power generation and improving agriculture output in Pakistan. The two sides will also sign agreements in the fields of agriculture, hydro electric power and free trade in services.Wuhan, one of the biggest cities of China and capital of Hubei province, in recent years has seen phenomenal growth in power generation as world’s largest dam - Three Gorges Dam - is located here.
Like the rest of China, Wuhan is fast becoming a hub of industrial, trade and commercial activities and old buildings are giving way to new multi-storied structures. While in Wuhan, President Zardari will visit Three Gorges Dam and attend a conference on agriculture.China’s progress has been phenomenal in power generation and President Zardari will avail himself of the opportunity to study first hand the institutions involved, their working and the way they managed the power generation at such a large scale.He will also have in-depth interaction with the relevant Chinese agriculture officials who will brief the President on various measures they are taking to enhance agricultural produce and development of hybrid seeds.“The focus of the President’s visit is promoting cooperation in the fields of agriculture and hydro-power projects as well as financial sector”, said a foreign office statement issued in Islamabad.In Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, the President will attend a China-Pakistan Agriculture and Water Resources Forum. The President will then proceed to Yichang for a day trip to see the Three Gorges Dam Project, the biggest hydropower project in the world.In Shanghai the President will have an interaction with Chairman/CEOs of leading Chinese banks and financial institutions to discuss ways to further intensify cooperation between Pakistan and China in this important field.The President will have an interaction with intellectuals and scholars from important think-tanks and universities in Shanghai.
The President will have meetings with the Governor of Hubei and the Mayor of Shanghai.State Councillor Dai Bingguo will meet the President in Wuhan to discuss the entire range of bilateral and regional issues and will also host a banquet in honour of the President and his delegation.
Several Memorandums of Understanding and agreements including FTA on Trade and Services will be signed during the visit.
President will also meet representatives of the Chinese print and electronic media in Hubei and Shanghai.
“The President’s visit to China is focused on further strengthening the relationship of trust and friendship between the two countries and enhancing mutually-beneficial cooperation in the areas of common interest”, the statement added.
Chinese officials here fondly recall the memories of late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s visit to China in early 70s when he was given an unprecedented welcome and laid a solid foundation for Pak-China friendship. These ties were further nurtured by his illustrious daughter Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Relations with China have always been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy which has been reciprocated by the Chinese in the form of cooperation in trade and business. Gawadar Port is one such symbol of the two countries’ friendship that both sides say is “higher than Himalyas and deeper than oceans.”
Pakistan has always maintained its full support for the One China Policy and the return of Taiwan to China.Pakistan and China hold unanimity of views on various international issues and the two countries are also cooperating closely in counter-terrorism, which the two countries consider greatest hindrance to world peace.
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