ISLAMABAD, April 25: China has thanked Pakistan for its ‘valuable support’ in effectively dealing with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the Xinjiang-based Uighur separatist movement regarded by the Chinese government as a terrorist organisation.

“China will further cooperate with Pakistan in dealing firmly with terrorists,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi after their talks here on Friday.

Mr Qureshi said Pakistan would buy anti-terrorism equipment from China.

An agreement on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries is being seen as the highlight of the talks.

The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s proposal for inclusion of China in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

The Chinese side expressed interest in the project and sought further details. “We are seriously studying the proposal,” Mr Jiechi said.

“Pakistan has requested full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and China has expressed support for our bid,” Foreign Minister Qureshi said.

Pakistan has been participating as an observer in activities of the increasingly influential regional security grouping.

The Chinese minister announced a grant of $10 million for Pakistan this year.

There was a broad agreement on maintaining a high level of political contact, promoting parliamentary exchanges and increasing the people-to-people and cultural interaction.

Mr Jiechi said he had extended an invitation to Prime Yusuf Raza Gilani from Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to visit China.

The two sides also discussed ways of expediting their five-year economic development plan and increasing defence cooperation and Chinese investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.

Mr Jiechi said it was China’s desire to push forward its relations with Pakistan by building on the existing momentum.

APP adds: The Chinese minister also appreciated Pakistan’s firm support on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues.

“Over the years, Pakistan has given firm support to China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues that are crucial to China’s core interests,” he said.

Referring to the Olympic torch relay that took place a few days ago in Islamabad, he said the event was a great success, which had not only promoted the Olympic spirit, but also shown to the world the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan.

Expressing the hope that efforts to increase the trade volume between the two countries to more than $15 billion would bear fruit, he said the two countries “are partners for mutually beneficial economic cooperation”.

Appreciating Pakistan for being the first country in South Asia to sign free trade agreement with China, he said continuous progress had been made in business and investment cooperation.

He said that the Haier-Ruba Industrial Park, the first joint project of its kind between China and a foreign country, was operating smoothly.

The China-Pakistan Joint Investment Company, his country’s first overseas financial cooperation institution, had also started operation.