All weather ties with Pak to continue under Sharif: China

Ahead of Premier Li Keqiang's maiden visit to Islamabad, China on Thursday  ruled out any change in bilateral ties with the new Pakistan government led by Nawaz Sharif, saying the "all weather" relationship will continue. Li heads to Pakistan on May 22 and will be the first foreign dignitary to meet Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Sharif after his election victory.

"To develop friendly ties with Pakistan is a set policy of successive governments of China. Likewise to develop friendly policy with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao said, adding no matter who comes to power in Islamabad the all weather bilateral ties will continue

The outcome of the elections in Pakistan will not have any impact on Li's visit, Song told a media briefing here on the Chinese Premier's visit to Pakistan. Li will set out on his first foreign tour on May 19, visiting India first for three days followed by Pakistan, Switzerland and Germany.

"No matter how the international and regional landscapes and situation within our two countries evolve, relations between our two countries will be further consolidated," Song said. The fact that Li's visit is taking place right after elections in Pakistan is full indication of high degree of mutual trust and special friendship between the two countries, Song said.

Li will meet President Asif Ali Zardari besides leaders of Pakistan's political parties and military. He will deliver a speech on bilateral relations and meet people who contributed to China-Pakistan friendship, Song said. To develop and grow a strategic partnership cooperation between China and Pakistan not only serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples but also contributes to regional and international peace, stability and development, he said.

Moreover to maintain friendly relations with China is a consensus of all parties in Pakistan, he said. While Pakistan's all weather ties were initially shaped by former ruler Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the relations were firmed up by successive military governments as a strategic alliance to counter India.

Zardari visited China numerous times since he took office clinching a host of deals including additional nuclear reactors. Li has chosen Pakistan as one of the countries for his first overseas visit. "It shows the importance the Chinese government attaches to its relations with Pakistan. It will consolidate ties and deepen strategic cooperation," Song said.

During Li's visit the two countries will sign business and cooperation agreements, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Jiang Yaoping who also took part in the briefing said. A trade and investment promotion mission will accompany Li, he said. Trade between the two countries, which signed Free Trade Agreement, had been growing very rapidly touching $12.2 billion in 2010, Jiang said.

Engineering construction projects undertaken by Chinese companies in Pakistan totalled $22.52 billion. By the end of March this year, China's total investment in Pakistan has reached $2.13 billion.

"As you can see from these figures Pakistan is the largest investment destination, second largest partner in South Asia and one of the major markets for engineering projects," he said. China is Pakistan's second largest trading partner, second largest source of imports and cooperation in various fields is advancing steadily, he said.

Asked about new nuclear power plants to be set up by China, Jiang said, "China attaches great importance to cooperation with Pakistan in energy and nuclear power". “We support Chinese enterprises and financial institutions for cooperation with Pakistan on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and we support them in exploring various models of cooperation with Pakistani side to achieve mutual benefit," he said.