BEIJING, Nov 1: China has agreed to extend financial and technical help to Pakistan for the second phase of the Chashma nuclear powerplant for building another 300-megawatt nuclear powerplant, officials here say.
The project, which is likely to be completed within the next six years, they said, would cost over $700 million, they added.
Sources expressed the hope that there would be “substantial progress regarding this important project during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Beijing.”
Officials also indicated the possibility of signing of an agreement in this regard during the visit. They said President Musharraf’s talks with Chinese leaders would help finalize key aspects of the project.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and China have agreed to enter into an extradition treaty.
A formal agreement to this effect would be signed during the President’s visit. The proposed treaty would help the two countries to work in close cooperation in the fight against narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration.
The two sides have complete understanding on the issue, sources said.
Under the proposed treaty, convicts would be entitled to complete the period of conviction in their own countries, besides helping solve various social problems, faced by visitors in certain cases, including over-stay and violation of immigration laws.
It would also facilitate convicts or under-custody people to establish contacts with members of their families.
BOAO CONFERENCE: The second annual Boao Forum for Asia Conference will open in Boao on Sunday with President Gen Pervez Musharraf delivering a keynote address at its first plenary session.
President Musharraf arrived here on Saturday to a red carpet welcome for the conference. He was received by Vice Governor and senior Chinese officials when he flew into Haiku, the capital of Hainan island province. He was driven in a motorcade to Boao.
Leaders, economists, media and tourism experts from Asian nations will deliberate on various issues from international financial situation to building win-win models in Asia’s manufacturing sector during the two-day moot, which has evolved into a centre of tourism and a seat of economic consultations.
President Musharraf will speak on the theme of ‘Asia searching for win-win development’, including development prospects of Asian economy, and trade cooperation among the continent’s countries.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will also speak in the same session.
President Musharraf is expected to dilate on positive economic indicators, and investment prospects as well as potential that Pakistan offers in the wake of the reforms introduced in the last few years.
Later, the Chinese premier hosted a banquet in honour of the leaders of participating countries.
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Investment and Privatization Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh and National Commission for Human Resource Development Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf will also attend the conference.—APP
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