Special Report: Pakistani Situation

Special Report: Global Financial Crisis

    BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will promote financial and economic cooperation with China through a visit next week, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Masood Khan told a press conference here Friday.

    Zardari, who was invited by the Chinese government, will visit Hubei Province and Shanghai from Feb. 20 to Feb. 23. He will spend one day each in Wuhan, Yichang and Shanghai.

    Khan said that Zardari was particularly interested in finance, banking, large-scale construction and Shanghai's urban development.

    "Shanghai is a shining example of how fast a city can develop ... We will definitely try to translate the president's visit into concrete projects," he added.

    Khan said Zardari will inspect projects involving water conservation, small and medium-sized dams, high-efficiency irrigation and hybrid seed development.

    In Wuhan, Zardari will meet with State Councilor Dai Bingguo and the Governor of Hubei Province, Li Hongzhong. He will also meet industrial leaders.

    In Yichang, he will visit the Three Gorges Project to study its management and technology.

    Khan discussed the implementation of the Sino-Pakistani economic and trade five-year development program signed in November, 2006. So far, 61 projects were identified, 27 had been launched and 25 others were in the planning stages.

    "We are trying to strengthen relations in all spheres and diligently implement the agreements we have already signed," he stressed.

    Khan said China and Pakistan have a "very robust" relationship, with frequent high-level visits.

    Zardari met with China's President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao last year. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also participated in the Asia-Europe Summit in Beijing last October.

    Many high-ranking Chinese officials have also visited Pakistan.

    "The strategic and cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China is very strong. We are trying to strengthen relations in the economic sphere and actively promote people-to-people contacts," said Khan.