| Recent attacks on Chinese nationals will not affect Pak-China friendship : Musharraf |
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| Thursday,August 09,2007 Posted: 09:43 BJT(0143 GMT) |
| From:APP Original:News |
ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday condemned the recent attacks on Chinese nationals and assured the Chinese government of Pakistan’s commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice. Such incidents will not affect the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China, he said. He was talking to Cui Tiankai, Assistant Foreign Minister of China who called on President in Rawalpindi. Assistant Foreign Minister of China visited Pakistan from August 6-8.
The President said Pak-China relationship was based on shared perceptions and commonality of interests and was growing from strength to strength. It has matured into a strategic partnership, he added.
President Musharraf expressed sympathy over the loss of lives and property due to recent floods in China and thanked for the Chinese assistance for the flood-affected people in Pakistan.
He expressed his satisfaction with the progress in Pak-China relations and desired to go faster on the economic track. The Free Trade Agreement, and the development programme on trade and economic cooperation will facilitate achieving the target of increasing bilateral trade to US$ 15 billion, he said.
The President appreciated that China was helping Pakistan to establish a University of Science and Technology in the country.
He asked the Assistant Foreign Minister to convey his personal greetings to the Chinese leadership.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister thanked the President for the support and cooperation extended by the government of Pakistan in the wake of recent incidents involving Chinese nationals.
He also conveyed condolences of the Chinese side over the casualties suffered by Pakistan Security personnel while providing protection to Chinese nationals.
Mr. Cui Tiankai reaffirmed commitment of the Chinese government to further strengthen the all dimensional ties of friendship and bilateral strategic cooperation.
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