Thursday, April 7 2005 10:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: China yesterday (Apr 6, 2005) gave a "categorical promise" to help Pakistan defend its "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," as visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President Pervez Musharraf said their relations gained a "new qualitative edge".

As Wen, who arrived to a red carpet welcome to Islamabad on Tuesday (Apr 5, 2005), held talks with Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan's Ambassador to Beijing Salman Bashir said the 'most important' aspect of the talks were the "clear and unambiguous, categorical assurance by China to defend Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity".

The assurance was provided by the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good neighbourly relations, which was signed as part of part of 22 agreements signed by the two countries after Wen's talks with Aziz.

Both countries would support each other's efforts to safeguard their territorial integrity, Bashir said.

Prime Minister Aziz informed the Chinese side about Pakistan's efforts for peace in the region and the ongoing composite dialogue process with India to resolve their outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Aziz also offered China the energy corridor to receive natural gas but Bashir did not mention the specific gas pipeline projects, which Pakistan is considering.

Wen spent the last leg of his tour today in Lahore holding talks with Musharraf, who hosted a lunch for the Chinese Premier.

Official APP news agency quoted the two leaders as saying that Pakistan-China relations have "entered a new qualitative stage," adding that their multi-faceted ties would not only be mutually beneficial but also contribute to regional stability.

The two leaders observed a series of agreements and Treaty of Friendship signed between the two countries on Tuesday would carry forward their deep-rooted and all-weather relationship to new heights.

Wen also said China is prepared to step up cooperation with Pakistan in nuclear power generation even after the completion of the 2nd phase of Chashma Nuclear Power Project.

Addressing the China-Pakistan Business Cooperation Conference in Islamabad he said China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan in all fields and enjoys deep rooted ties, but "our economic and trade ties do not match with our political and strategic relationship, which need to be enhanced at a fast pace".

He said that China and Pakistan could realise actual potential of their economic and trade relations by enhancing cooperation in joint ventures, hi-tech industry, telecom, development of mining industry and manufacturing.

Wen said China would like to invest in Pakistan in various sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, which would help create more job opportunities for the Pakistani people.