CONSOLIDATING CHINA-PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP, PRAGMATIC COOPERATION
Yang said that Wen's visit to Pakistan is of great significance in advancing the all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Pakistan.
During his stay in Pakistan, Wen met with President Asif Ali Zardari,Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, as well as leaders of the parliament and the main political parties, and top military leaders.
Leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views on further strengthening and deepening the China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation as well as on major international and regional issues, and they reached broad consensus, Yang said.
A consolidated and deepened all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Pakistan will serve the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and the world, Wen said.
The Chinese premier urged the two sides to seize the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year to promote traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation, and make the partnership more extensive and productive.
Wen also reaffirmed China's support to Pakistan in its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and social stability, and to achieve economic independence and sustainable development.
Echoing Wen's remarks on the China-Pakistan ties, the Pakistani side stressed that pursuing friendship with China is the bedrock of Pakistan's foreign policy and national consensus, and Pakistan is ready to work together with China to make their friendship last from generation to generation.
The two sides signed a joint statement, deciding to establish an annual meeting mechanism between leaders, and a foreign ministers' dialogue mechanism, according to Yang.
They also signed a number of documents on bilateral cooperation in economy, energy, finance, culture and other areas.
In July, Pakistan was hit by heavy floods, and now the country is at a critical period of reconstruction.
During his visit, Premier Wen announced a package of aid plans for post-flood reconstruction in Pakistan, saying China would continue to help Pakistan in the post-disaster phase of the floods and would provide resources and technical support for disaster prevention and forecasting technology.
On economic and trade cooperation, Wen stressed the two countries should expand the scale of bilateral trade, promote exchanges between the enterprises of the two sides and raise the level of China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation.
The two sides also identified infrastructure, energy and agriculture as priority areas of bilateral cooperation.
On the cultural sphere, Wen and his Pakistani counterpart Gilani jointly announced 2011 as the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship.
The two nations will sponsor a series of celebration activities and events to further broaden people-to-people exchanges, and thus promote mutual understanding and friendship.
Yang said Premier Wen's remarks on the China-Pakistan friendship and the cooperation initiatives he proposed during his visit have turned a new page in the China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation.
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Indian officials praise Chinese premier's latest visit
NEW DELHI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's latest visit to India was of great importance to the further development of bilateral ties, Indian officials say.
During Wen's three-day trip that ended Friday, the two sides carried out meetings and talks in an atmosphere full of affinity, trust and understanding, The Hindu daily quoted Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao as saying. Full story
Pakistani media praise Chinese premier's latest visit
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's latest visit to Pakistan will further enhance the all-weather strategic relationship between the two countries, Pakistani media said Sunday.
Pakistan's media gave extensive coverage to Wen's visit. They made special reports highlighting various aspects of the China-Pakistan friendship and the assistance of both countries extended to each other in disaster management. Full story
Special Report: Premier Wen Visits India, Pakistan
