Wen Jiabao
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd L) walks with Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani (R) during an official welcoming ceremony in Islamabad December 17, 2010. Wen arrived in Pakistan on Friday with multi-billion dollar deals to reassure its ally that that energy, military and economic ties remain tight, despite China's warming relations with India. – REUTERS/Mian Khursheed

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held one-on-one meeting here on Friday and vowed to further strengthen their evergreen fraternal ties in diverse fields including trade, energy, technology.

The two leaders who met here at the Prime Minister House, besides discussing the way and means on how to deepen the strategic bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Premier Wen is in Pakistan on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The two sides also discussed increased exchanges in education and culture and expressed desire to send more Pakistani students to China to study subjects like Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Advanced Chemistry and Physics.

Prime Minister Gilani termed China as a trusted partner, very good neighbour and a close friend of Pakistan.

The talks focussed on building a mutually beneficial economic partnership, besides developing wider cooperation on regional and international affairs.

The Chinese Premier said China would expand pragmatic cooperation with Pakistan to bring about tangible benefits to the Pakistani people and increase Pakistan's self-development capability.

The two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, energy, finance and banking, and science and technology.

The one-on-one meeting was followed by the delegation-level talks. During the delegation level talks, Prime Minister Gilani was assisted among others by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan's Ambassador to China Masood Khan and other senior officials.

The Chinese Premier's entourage includes Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Communications Li Shenglin, Minister of Culture Cai Wu, Director of the Research Office of the State Council Xie Fuzhan, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhu Zhixin, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the MoC International Trade Representative Gao Hucheng, Vice Secretary-General of the State Council and Director of the Premier's Office Qiu Xiaoxiong and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...