China and Pakistan issued a wide-ranging joint statement calling for stepped-up collaboration in the economy, trade, energy, military and anti-terrorism efforts as President Hu Jintao wrapped up his four-day visit to the South Asian nation yesterday.

Hu returned to Beijing last night from Lahore; and his two-week trip also took him to Viet Nam, where he paid a state visit and attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, as well as Laos and India.

"China will continue to view its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective and work together to elevate the bilateral strategic partnership to a new high," said the 30-point statement signed on Saturday.

China expressed gratitude towards Pakistan for "its valuable support on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights."

The statement also hailed the free trade agreement (FTA) signed by the two countries on Friday in Islamabad as "an engine for balanced growth of trade."

The FTA is projected to triple bilateral trade to US$15 billion within five years. Under the agreement, China and Pakistan will reduce or eliminate tariffs on all products in two phases starting next July. Bilateral trade grew nearly 40 per cent last year to reach US$4.26 billion.

In the energy sector, the two nations agreed to strengthen collaboration on fossil fuels, coal, hydro-power, nuclear power, renewable energy as well as in the mining and resource sectors.

China and Pakistan vowed to jointly combat "the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism" that pose a grave threat to regional peace, stability and security, according to the statement.

Hu left Islamabad for the ancient city of Lahore on Saturday, where he addressed local people in the historic Shalimar Gardens at a reception given in his honour by Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

Yesterday, Hu attended the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan Haier-Ruba Economic Zone, a joint venture.

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