China, Pakistan should encourage business cooperation ( 2003-12-05 11:26) (Xinhua)
China and Pakistan should encourage their business communities to
expand reciprocal cooperation in various forms, said Jia Qinglin, chairman
of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference.
Jia, who is here on an official goodwill visit at the invitation of
Pakistani Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro, made the remarks here
Thursday at a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan
Jamali.
Jia said Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation is experiencing
a good development momentum and there are still vast potentials.
He said Pakistan, the last leg of his visit to five South Asian nations, is
one of China's best neighbors in the region.
The two countries have always followed the Five Principles of Peaceful
Co-existence, and they have also supported, trusted and understood each
other, noted Jia.
He voiced his appreciation for Pakistan's consistent support for China
on such issues as Taiwan, human rights, Tibet and combating "East
Turkistan" forces.
Jamali said China is Pakistan's trust-worthy neighbor and it is Pakistan's
policy to develop friendship with China.
In the new century, the two countries should further strengthen unity and
friendship, said Jamali, hoping that leaders of the two countries will
keep constant contacts.
He said Pakistan will learn from China's economic development and he
welcomed more cooperation between the two sides and more Chinese
investment in the country.
At a separate meeting here Thursday with Pakistani National Assembly
Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, Jia said the two sides should take more
active measures to strengthen cooperation in education and culture, and
encourage people-to-people contacts, especially between the youth of the
two countries.
Agreeing with Jia, Hussain said the Pakistani side will cooperate
closely with the Chinese side and conduct bilateral exchanges and
cooperation in various forms.
Jia visited India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal before arriving here
on Wednesday.