Islamabad, 26 September 2011: Pakistan and China Monday night signed a number of agreements in economic and technical cooperation, relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of some damaged parts of National Highways networks at a special ceremony in Aiwan-e-Sadr that was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari, State Councilor of China Mr. Meng Jianzhu, federal ministers, Governor and chief minister GB and members of the visiting Chinese delegation.

 

Agreements signed involved about $250 million of Chinese assistance and took place soon after the meetings between Chinese State Councilor with President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr late Monday night.

 

Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar said that in two rounds of talks in Presidency matters concerning Pak-China relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, fight against militancy and recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh came under discussion.

 

Those who were present during delegation level meeting included from Chinese side Ambassador Liu Jian, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Mr. Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister Zhou Qing, Assistant Minister Mr. Chneg Guoping and Mr. Li Wei, DG MFA and former Ambassador Mr. Luo Zhaohui and other senior officials.

 

Pak side included Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Interior, Syed Naveed Qamar, Governor Gilgit Baltistan, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Chairperson BISP Ms. Farzana Raja, CM Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pak Ambassador in China Masood Khan and other senior officials.

 

He said that the Chinese leader reaffirmed China's continuing support to Pakistan in its fight against militancy and promotion of regional peace and stability.

 

The President thanked China for its support to Pakistan on the issues of all major concern to the country and its people.

 

The President said that Pakistan at present was passing through a critical phase when it was battling to purge the curses of militant mindset, on one hand, and to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure and rehabilitate the devastated people who lost their everything due to successive natural calamities, on the other.

 

He said that in these peculiar circumstances when the country was grappling with many challenges simultaneously, Chinese assistance has been most welcome in stabilizing the situation.

 

 The President thanked the Chinese Government for sending a consignment of 7000 tents. He said that the displaced people require hundred of thousands of tents and Pakistan looks forward to China’s assistance in the areas of shelter and health.            

  

Regional situation was also discussed during the meeting. The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates China’s support to Pakistan on all issues of its major concern. He said that Chinese role-- being the source of stability for the region-- was very important to usher in a new era of peace and stability in the region.

 

Mr. Meng Jianzhu thanked the President for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and assured continued Chinese support to Pakistan on all issues of concern to the people of Pakistan and Pak Government.

 

Later the President also hosted dinner for the Chinese dignitary and his delegation that was also attended by some federal ministers and senior officials