Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pak P.M., Yousuf Raja Gilani begins China visit, with an agenda, post Osama Killing!

Brickbats, Bouquets & Backfeeds are welcome on prmadhura@yahoo.com

Ananth Krishnan


Set to sign a number of deals
Pact on defence-related areas



SHANGHAI: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani began a four-day visit to China here on Tuesday evening, with both countries set to sign a number of deals to expand cooperation in defence, technology, banking and trade and deepen counterterrorism ties.

On the day of Mr. Gilani's arrival in Shanghai, Chinese officials reiterated backing of their long-term strategic ally in the strongest terms yet, amid criticism from the West in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden in a safe-house in Abbottabad on May 2.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told reporters in Beijing that China would “unswervingly” support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism.

In a veiled reference to criticism from U.S. lawmakers and calls for Washington to cut financial assistance to Pakistan following bin Laden's killing, Ms. Jiang urged “relevant countries” to continue offering support and “provide further help” to the country. “Pakistan has made important contributions in fighting terrorism and made great sacrifices,” she said.

Speaking to China's official Xinhua news agency ahead of his arrival in Shanghai, Mr. Gilani said China was “the first country to show its support and solidarity” with Pakistan after bin Laden's killing. “To test a friend whether true or not, it needs time and means under crisis, we appreciate that in all difficult circumstances China stood with Pakistan, therefore we call China a true friend and a time-tested and all-weather friend,” he said.




Full story at,
http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/18/stories/2011051865861900.htm

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