ON BOARD PRESIDENTIAL PLANE, Aug 2: President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday that his talks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin earlier in the day in Beijing covered the entire gamut of bilateral, regional, and international “issues and happenings” in South Asia.

Talking to newsmen on board after a ten-hour stay in Beijing, he said: “There was a total unanimity of views on the matters discussed and talks were productive and fruitful,” he stated.

Pakistan, he said, had a special relationship with China and we “hold consultations as and when required”.

“We had a fruitful and productive dialogue with Chinese leadership on matters of bilateral, regional and international concern,” he said.

Asked what was the significance of these talks, Gen Musharraf said while on his official visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and on return, he travelled over Chinese territory and found it necessary to make a brief stopover and meet President Jiang Zemin.

About the subjects covered, the president said talks were held on bilateral, regional and international matters, Afghanistan, Kashmir, border tension with India, de-escalatory measures, besides our domestic matters.

To a question, the president said China had always been helpful to Pakistan and helped the country during difficult periods. China, he said, supported Pakistan on all important issues.

Information Minister Nisar A. Memon was also present during the press talk.

President Musharraf said he was extremely thankful to President Jiang Zemin, who, he said, honoured him by altering his schedule.

“He (President Jiang) was supposed to have gone somewhere but he delayed his engagements by one day just to receive me. This is a great honour bestowed on me and it goes to prove the special relationship between Pakistan and China,” the president said.

Asked if today’s Sino-Pakistan contact symbolises anything since he undertook the visit in the wake of official visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the president said: “It is symbolic and real, with the two countries holding talks which mark total unanimity of views and understanding.”

President Musharraf also briefed Jiang Zemin on the latest domestic situation in Pakistan and gave views on the issues concerning south Asia and Afghanistan.

In the talks with President Jiang held at the official residence of the Chinese president, President Musharraf was assisted by Minister of state for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haque and Pakistan ambassador to China Riaz A. Khokhar. From the Chinese side, Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was present. —APP