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China, Pakistan sign 10-plus deals as Zardari makes first Beijing trip
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-15 22:53 BEIJING - China and Pakistan on Wednesday signed more than 10 deals ranging from trade and minerals to agriculture and satellites.
The package of agreements came out of a two-hour summit at Beijing's Great Hall of the People as China rolled out the red carpet for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on his first state visit to the country since taking office in September. Zardari was welcomed by President Hu Jintao and received a 21-gun military salute at the Tian'anmen Square, festooned with the national flags of China and Pakistan. During the meeting, Hu reviewed the close bilateral ties, particularly the days of the Bhutto family. "Your entire family are old friends of the Chinese people," Hu told Zardari. "We will never forget the outstanding contribution Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had made to boosting ties with China." Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December 2007, and her late father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, had also served as Pakistan president. While reviewing the 57-year-old diplomatic ties, Hu attributed its sound and smooth growth to the leadership of the two nations, among others. He said China had always given priority to its relation with Pakistan, an important neighbor and strategic partner. Zardari said he was grateful for "the warm welcome that you have shown us and the love and affection that I can feel from across the aisle." "The only way I could do justice to the memory of my late wife and father-in-law was to make sure that I made my first presidential trip to China," the 53-year-old said. "I am hoping to assist the Pakistan-China relationship and take it further along. It's a duty history has bestowed upon me." |
