WUHAN (China), Feb 21: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday offered China access to Pakistani ports for international trade, ahead of the signing of five memoranda of understanding in agriculture and trade sectors.

In Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, the president said that Chinese companies in central China would benefit the most from access to Pakistani ports.

“We will encourage Chinese companies to come to Pakistan because Pakistan’s geostrategic location provides them global access through our warm waters,” Mr Zardari said.

When asked how he assessed cooperation and relationship between the two countries, he said they were over 50 years old in which three generations of the Bhutto family had played a very positive role.

“My party and my government want to strengthen these relations which are historical and very vast. We are proud of China’s progress.”

Highlighting Pak-China relations, he said: “I wish one million Chinese were in Pakistan and one million Pakistanis were in China, taking this relationship to another level.”

The president praised the Chinese media and said it had always played a positive role in strengthening bilateral relations.

Addressing researchers at the China-Pakistan Agriculture and Water Resources Cooperation Forum, President Zardari said that Pakistan wanted to benefit from China’s experience in agriculture.

The president expressed hope his visit would further strengthen ties between the two countries, particularly in agriculture and hydroelectricity sectors.

Earlier, Chinese experts informed the president about research in development of hybrid seeds of cotton, rice and rapeseed.

MOUs SIGNED: Pakistan and China signed four MoUs for cooperation in agriculture.

President Zardari and the governor of Hubei, Lihong Zhong, attended the signing ceremony.

An MoU between the government of Sindh and Hubei Seed Group is aimed at joint development of hybrid rice seed and its commercial production in Pakistan.

Another MoU between Pakistan Agriculture and Research Council (PARC) and Hubei Research Group focuses on the establishment of joint breeding in Pakistan. Under the MoU, Pakistani scientists would also be trained in breeding agronomy and oilseed production.

Another MoU was inked for the expansion of cooperation through exchange of high-profile visits and promotional events to enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations between Sindh and Hubei provinces.

The fourth MoU was inked between National Dredging Company (NDC) for the setting up of dredging works in Karachi, Gwadar, Port Qasim, canals, rivers and barrages.

The agreements were signed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, PARC Chairman Zafar Altaf and Chairman of the Hubei Seed Group, Guobao Yuan.

A memorandum of understanding to attract investment in the services sector was also signed on Saturday.

The agreement would enhance the capacity of services providers in the two countries, creating new jobs in various sectors, including information technology.—APP