Beijing: China and Pakistan have signed a series of agreements to boost their "all-weather" friendship as well as economic cooperation, with Beijing extending a $ 150 million credit for expansion of the Chashma nuclear power plant, the official media reported today (Dec 16, 2004).

The agreements were inked after talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his visiting Pakistani counterpart, Shaukat Aziz in Beijing yesterday (Dec 15, 2004).

China will provide $ 150 million to Pakistan for expansion of the Chashma nuclear power plant (Phase-II). The agreement will be part of the preferential buyers credit of $ 500 million to be provided by the Chinese Government.

The two countries also signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the expansion of Gwadar seaport channel, which has the capacity to facilitate big vessels. Under the MoU, there will be further dredging of the channel to the depth of 14.7 metres, enabling berthing of bigger ships.

The project cost is around $ 40 million and the first phase will be inaugurated early next year, the reports said.

A protocol was also signed between the two countries under which China will extend a grant assistance of $ 6.05 million as a goodwill gesture on Aziz's maiden visit to China.

The two sides signed another agreement for utilisation of buyers credit provided by China for undertaking economic projects in Pakistan, by Chinese companies.

Aziz arrived in Beijing on Tuesday (Dec 14, 2004) night on a four-day official visit to China.

He will visit Shanghai, China's largest city and industrial hub and lay the foundation for the Pakistani Consulate on Friday (Dec 17, 2004).