Islamabad, Nov 24: Pakistan and China have signed a five-year pact to boost bilateral trade, President General Pervez Musharraf said on Friday. The deal was agreed to during a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Chinese Aviation Industries on Friday agreed “for long term collaboration and co-development in the fields of aircraft manufacturing and other related fields including AWACS,” a PAF statement said.
It said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Islamabad between Pakistan Air Force and a Chinese aviation company, CETC, for the improvement and further development of Chinese Airborne Early Warning System.
“The same may be delivered to Pakistan in coming years,” it said.
PAF is already collaborating with another Chinese aviation company, CATIC, for the co-development and co-production of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. Fight JF-17s are expected to be delivered to Pakistan during 2007.
“China will help us build more nuclear power plants to enable us to meet our growing energy demands,” the official said.
Pakistan and China have long been close allies, and Beijing has helped Islamabad develop its infrastructure, including building a nuclear power plant and a deep-sea port.
Salman Bashir, Pakistan's envoy to China, said a free trade agreement will be the most important document signed during Hu's four-day visit.
“We feel proud to be friends of Pakistan and will further enhance our strategic relationship,” Hu said during an address on his arrival, according to a private TV channel.
Musharraf vowed to resolve his country's differences with India, particularly over Kashmir, and called for stability in war-wracked Afghanistan.
“Success in this endeavour would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in South Asia,'' he said. On Friday, Hu would also meet with Aziz before delivering a live televised address to the nation. On Saturday, he travels to the eastern city of Lahore for further talks with political and business leaders.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 24, 2006, 00:00