NEWS - AGRICULTUREGUANGZHOU (August 24 2009): President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday identified vital areas in which China can cooperate with Pakistan to increase its agriculture output as well as improve communication infrastructure for trade links with all its neighbours and the region.
In a meeting with Wang Yang, member of the Communist Party of China's central political bureau and Secretary Guangdong Committee, the President said Pakistan needs hybrid agriculture seeds, setting up of rail network linking it with China and improved road networks for speedy bilateral trade and better use of water for irrigation purposes in Pakistan.
'It can happen today or it can happen tomorrow but we should think about it and start preparing for it,' President Zardari remarked. He said China has knowledge and Pakistan has all sorts of infrastructure, favourable investment climate, right market and a geo-strategic location for Chinese to take benefit of.
Increase in growth rate of China will lift Pakistan's own economy, which has been slightly limited by situation in the region and some international concerns, he added.
The President referred to a recent opening up of Pakistan's rail link to Turkey via Iran and said a similar rail link with China will greatly enhance their trade with the region that includes India and other Saarc countries.
He said Pakistan is already upgrading Karakorum road, which will become an all-weather road next year. President Zardari said that Pakistan has an agro-based economy and would like China to help Pakistan develop better and high yielding varieties of sugarcane, cotton, oil seeds and rice. He said some Chinese scientists are already working in the country in agriculture sector.
Similarly, he added, for optimal use of irrigation water, China's experience and expertise would be of great significance for Pakistan as it is facing the onerous task of feeding its large population.
'I come to China to learn. That is why I visit a new province every time. I come here to personally see the development that has taken place in every sphere of life,' Zardari added.
He said the world has accepted China's wisdom and is awed by the progress they have made. The President informed Wang Yang about the favourable investment climate that his country offers and invited Chinese investors to set up their businesses there.
'Leadership has to show the way and younger generation has to follow, leaders have already written our destination and now it must be followed,' President Zardari remarked.
He categorically stated that Pakistan believes in one-China policy. The President said Chairman Mao could see beyond time and laid a strong foundation of Sino-Pak relations. Wang Yang said that despite world's changing economic scenario the relations between the two countries continue to grow and have established strategic partnership.
He said President Zardari's fourth visit within one year, shows the importance he attaches to China as a time-tested friend. He said he was greatly inspired by President Zardari's ideas and considers an economically strong Pakistan not only beneficial for its own people, but also for China, the region and the world at large.
He said some 30 years ago, Guangdong faced similar situation as that which Pakistan is facing today but it gradually came out of it by developing basic industry. He said China has great regard for its neighbour for its support on important national and international issues.
He said he will direct all the departments and institutions to honour the MoUs that are being signed during his visit to Guangdong. He said Pakistan's Free Trade Agreement was an 'open document' and following that the two countries can further strengthen co-operation in varied fields. He said Pakistan can attract foreign investment if it establishes special economic zones.
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