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As the Pakistan Prime Minister begins four-day visit, Chinese state media downplays suggestions that a Pakistan-U.S. rift was bringing the two allies even closer
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday began his four-day China visit voicing strong support for a greater role for Beijing on the international stage and underscoring the deepening ties between the “all-weather” strategic allies.
“We are happy to see China shape the 21st century world,” Mr. Gilani said, inaugurating a cultural form in Suzhou, an ancient Chinese city in southern Jiangsu province.
“We admire the accomplishments of the great Chinese nation,” he said. “The world is witnessing today a renaissance of ancient glorious Chinese civilisation. I have no doubt that Chinese sagacity and thought will have a profoundly beneficial impact on mankind as a
whole.”
Mr. Gilani said the two countries were “building new bridges” and “enhancing connectivity,” stressing the growing cultural contact between both countries. He pointed to the setting up of Confucius Institutes in Pakistan, as well as Pakistan study centres at some of China’s biggest universities, as bringing the two countries closer.
Mr. Gilani’s visit was scheduled to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, on May 21. It has, however, been seen as assuming particular significance amid new uncertainties facing the region, following the May 2 killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Laden’s killing has led to increased international pressure on Islamabad to crack down on terrorist groups operating on its soil, with calls from some U.S. legislators to scale back financial assistance.
In recent days, Chinese officials have strongly supported Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, as well as called on “relevant countries” to continue supporting Pakistan. Chinese officials and analysts have also hit out at criticism, voiced by U.S. officials, India and other Western countries, at Pakistan’s failure to effectively crack down on terror, stressing the country’s “sacrifices” at the “forefront” of the fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan's sincerity in the anti-terror crusade should not be questioned as the country has borne and continues to bear the brunt of international terrorism,” the official China Daily said in an editorial. “In addition to the huge cost in human lives, direct and indirect Pakistani losses engendered from the fight against terrorism over the past 10 years have reached $100 billion.”
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