SAINT PETERSBURG: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday expressed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in economic, defence and energy sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

The two leaders who met on the sidelines of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation here discussed issues of strategic and economic cooperation between their countries.

They discussed the matters relating to agriculture, power generation and finance besides reviewing progress in Sino-Pak bilateral ties.

Both reviewed strategic and defence cooperation besides exchanging views on trade cooperation.

The two sides also discussed the means to carry out projects of communication including railway and road links and fibre optic.

Prime Minister Gilani sought investment by Chinese companies in Pakistan's various areas and stressed the need for making efforts to realise the full potential of bilateral trade.

Premier Wen assured Prime Minister Gilani of China's commitment to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan in all fields.

Both leaders were of the view that the two nations were against terrorism and would continue to cooperate with each other to eliminate this threat.

Gilani said it was time to address the global economic crisis and find out a way to counter its impact on growing economies.

During the meeting the two leaders also noted that both Pakistan and China share similar views on important regional and global issues and will continue to extend support to each other on all levels.

They also agreed on exploiting the full potential of the two business communities to boost their economy and trade.