Pakistani President in Beijing 

cctv.com 02-21-2006 10:18

In Beijing, President Hu Jintao has welcomed his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf for a five-day visit. Musharraf's meetings with top Chinese leaders will focus on economic ties and cooperation in defense and nuclear energy.

It is a perfect time to reinforce their traditional friendship as the two neighbors mark the 55th anniversary of their relations.

President Hu said the two nations should make joint efforts to crack down on terrorism, separatists and religious extremism.

Hu noted China and Pakistan should also strengthen bilateral ties in various fields, including exchanges and coordination on United Nations reform, anti-terror and regional issues.

President Musharraf updated Hu on relations between Pakistan and India and his views on the South Asian region. President Hu said China always welcomes improved ties between the two countries.

It's the third time President Musharraf has visited China. Before his visit, a tragedy occurred last week when three Chinese engineers were killed by a terror attack in Hub, a town west of Karachi. Musharraf told Hu his government has pledged to bring those responsible to justice.

The Chinese leader reassured his Pakistani counterpart that his country will implement its aid projects for rebuilding the earthquake-devastated areas in Pakistan. China is also hoping to help set up a nationwide quake monitoring network.

After the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony on an agreement to expand bilateral trade cooperation.

Pakistan and China want to increase trade to eight billion US dollars by 2008, and are also discussing a free trade agreement. Trade between the two countries rose to 4.25 billion US dollars last year, up from 3-billion a year earlier.

Earlier today, Musharraf met with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo. He expressed condolences to the victims of the tragedy.

Musharraf said, "I would, first of all express the nation's regret and condolences on this very sad incident of the killing of three Chinese. It's a shame for the country."

Musharraf also held talks with the secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperative Organization. Musharraf says the organization plays a major role in promoting regional development. Pakistan currently sits as an observer, but is looking forward to becoming part of the organization sometime soon.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com