– China, Growing Superpower

Alliance with US not to affect Pak ties with China: Rashid

31 July 2004

XI’AN: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday said Pakistan’s alliance with the US or any other country or group would not affect its deep-rooted ties with China in any manner, whatsoever.

"China will remain the cornerstone of our foreign policy, and they will continue to work together, taking identical position on various regional and international issues," he said while talking to APP.
 

Rashid termed his talks with the Chinese leaders highly successful in fostering their all-weather and time-tested friendship. He said Pakistan wished to develop close collaboration with China in regional forums like the Asean and Boao forum for Asia.

The minister said Pakistan will welcome China’s inclusion in the Saarc. China, he added, is an emerging superpower and its leading or active role in regional organizations will make the Asian countries stronger in the economic field.

Pakistan, he said, is also looking forward to joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which has now emerged as another important forum in Asia for promoting peace and development. Replying to a question, Rashid said Pakistan is glad to see improvement of China’s relations with India. "We believe this development will be conducive for peace and collective well-being of the regional countries."

About Sino-Pak ties, he said the two countries have already established excellent political and diplomatic relations. "Now we want to focus our attention on translating these ties for the economic benefits of our people."

Pakistan, he said, wished to have free trade arrangements with China, and hoped necessary steps would be taken in this direction. This, he said, would benefit both the countries.

He proposed that the private sector of the two countries should develop maximum interaction to enhance the existing volume of trade. They, he emphasized, should undertake joint ventures for establishing export-oriented industries.

Rashid said his visit and talks with the Chinese leaders proved very productive to enhance media relations in the fields of radio, television and films.

The two countries, he said, would soon sign formal agreements to bring substantial improvement in their relations in the media affairs. He said Chinese information minister and other high-ups will soon visit Pakistan to develop a common strategy for media development.

The two sides, he said, have agreed to join hands in countering hostile propaganda by the vested interests in the world. Media, he said, is an important weapon and needs to be used effectively for properly projecting their national position on various regional and international issues.

The minister said his meeting with the top-ranking leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Liu Yunshan, was very fruitful for promotion of understanding and cooperation in the areas of bilateral interests.

They decided to take all possible measures for strengthening their media network, ensuring unbiased and objective media coverage of various important events and developments, he said.

During his stay in Xi’an, the minister met the local leaders. He also visited the emperor Qin’s museum. It is regarded as the most grandiose archaeological discovery of the 20th century. He also visited a famous historical mosque in the city.