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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan Sunday said Pakistan and China would execute 36 projects worth $14 billion during next five years under bilateral Five Year Development Programme for Trade and Economic Cooperation. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Pak-China Business Forum, he said the first five year programme has been completed and the second is about to start this year that would be run by a ministerial level Joint Economic Commission and Economic Cooperation Group. The four-day event was held here by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in collaboration with Xuzhou Normal University China. He said the Joint Energy Working Group, established last year, will oversee development and implementation of hydro, thermal, geo-thermal, coal-fired, solar, wind, biomass, and civil nuclear power projects. The ambassador said the CIIT was the pioneer institution in Pakistan creating an interface between academia, businesses and government to promote Pakistan-China economic relations. For a better understanding among people from both countries, the ambassador suggested establishment of Pakistan-China centers in all key Pakistani universities. “Some have already moved in that direction. In China, Pakistan Study Centers are housed in four prestigious universities including Peking, Tsinghua, Sichuan, and Fudan,” Masood Khan said. He said there is a strong aspiration between both the countries for exchange of youth as hundreds of young students and professionals were exchanging visits “but the figure should move into thousands and then into millions.” “Establishment of a Pakistan-China Young Entrepreneurs Forum will be a good initiative in this context,” he suggested. The ambassador said Pakistan’s business ties with China would be as robust as strategic partnership. But, he said the relationship of two countries will continue to flourish with full vigour if we ensure fusion of all the three pillars of our relations – strategic, economic and people to people exchanges. He said platforms like Pak-China Business Forums prove to be beneficial for the businessmen who seek guidance as how to do business with China and vise-versa. He said Pakistan provides the best protection for Chinese workers and businesses and the country would not lower its guard. “In five years time, we will see a different world. Pakistani nation will overcome its current difficulties, realize its full economic potential and emerge as a regional business hub,” he hoped. Khan stressed for collaboration between academia and industry as the universities provide the best nursery to the industrial sector. He said with the passage of time, the leading entities have developed common platforms to enhance linkage with each other. “But we should try to look even better. Here comes the role of educational institutes to help exploit maximum possible potential between the two countries,” said Pakistan’s ambassador to China. The ambassador said Shanghai Cooperation Organization was fostering connectivity among the East, Central and South Asian neighborhoods and Pakistan, being an observer, hopes to be its member soon. He said last year, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has opened branches in Islamabad and Karachi. Moreover, in December 2011, the central banks of China and Pakistan have reached an agreement for currency swap to enable traders of Pakistan and China to use Pakistani Rupee and Chinese Renminbi for transactions and settlements. “Both these steps would stimulate further growth in Pak-China trade ties,” Masood Khan added. (APP) |
Pakistan-China projects worth $14bn in pipeline: envoy
Beijing to host first ever China-Pakistan Young Scientists Forum on energy
BEIJING, Apr 15 (APP): A group of young scientists from Pakistan is arriving here Monday to take part in the first-ever China-Pakistan Young Scientists Forum, focused on energy. Prominent among them who will address the opening ceremony are leaders of the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the diplomats from Pakistan Embassy.
Pakistan lauds Chinese army assistance for search of Siachen avalanche victim
BEIJING, April 14 (APP):
Pakistan Saturday lauded the Chinese armed forces for sending technical devices to the Pakistani army after a request for help in searching for bodies trapped by an avalanche.We are touched. We are moved by this gesture of PLA and Chinese nation, said Ambassador Masood Khan.He pointed out that it reminds us how effectively PLA carried out relief and rescue missions after floods.Relations are about standing by each other in difficult moments,Khan noted.Earlier, a statement released by the Chinese Defense Ministry on Saturday said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army also sent specialists to Islamabad. The specialists help to offer technical guidance, reports Xinhua news.The avalanche, which hit a camp of the Pakistan army on April 7 in Siachen, buried 139 Pakistani soldiers and civilians.
Pak, China leadership pays special attention to promote economic ties
Ambassador Masood Khan has said that the leadership of Pakistan and China is paying special attention to the promotion of economic relations between the two countries.“The indicators of trade and economic cooperation are good. Last year,bilateral trade was US $8.7 billion. This year, we are set to cross the US $10 billion mark,” he said, while addressing an investment forum here.By September this year, the bilateral trade had already touched the figure of $ 7 billion, he told APP Sunday.
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Pakistan Navy organises festive event for Chinese diplomats, citizens
Pakistan Navy organised a colourful festive event in honour of Chinese diplomats and Islamabad based Chinese citizens at the Naval Complex, to commemorate and celebrate 60 years of Pakistan – China diplomatic relations here on Saturday.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila was the host of the event. The event was unique in a way that a large number of Chinese guests along with their families participated.
Joint military programme: ‘Pakistan, China troops to enhance battle competence’
Pakistan-China Joint military exercise will provide an opportunity to troops of both countries to gain from each other’s experience, Inspector General Training and Evaluation Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain said on Friday.
Speaking as the chief guest during an opening ceremony of the two-week-long joint exercise (YOUYI-IV-2011) held near Jhelum between the Pakistan and Chinese armies, he said China has always been a close friend of Pakistan and the armies of both countries continue to maintain strong ties with each other.
Sindh gears up for Chinese ‘winds of change’ with another MoU
Sindh is rich in natural resources and Chinese entrepreneurs should utilise these resources for the mutual benefit of both countries, said Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro while talking with Orient Group of Energy Chairman Zhang Hongwei before singing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding wind energy generation in the province. According to an official handout issued on Thursday, Khuhro said Sindh has huge potential and this is the time for economic development. He said the government is taking steps to utilise these resources for the benefit of the common man. He also said Chinese companies should benefit from the opportunities offered by the Sindh government, particularly in the field of energy. He further said all kinds of energy generation resources, including hydro, solar, wind and biogas, need to be exploited so that everyone could benefit from them and improve their socio-economic condition.
Azerbaijan interested in purchase of Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 combat aircraft
JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft on display at the Dubai air show 2011. (Photo: APA)
Azerbaijan intends to purchase JF-17 combat aircrafts jointly produced by Pakistan and China
09:25 GMT, November 16, 2011 Baku | As Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), which displayed its products in Dubai Airshow-2011 in UAE, told APA, Azerbaijan shows interest in JF-17 Thunder combat aircrafts jointly produced by Pakistan and China and announced its intention to purchase aircrafts of this type.
The JF-17 Thunder performed flight displays over the Dubai airport during the air show. Members of the Azerbaijani delegation also watched the flights.
Referring to negotiations held with Azerbaijan, company officials said that the discussions have not entered the phase of signing a contract yet. The company is currently executing the orders of the Pakistani Air Forces; the export to Azerbaijan could be realised in the upcoming years. According to the company, the negotiating parties are determining the annual amount of the possible order.
Offering a high manoeuvrability, JF-17 Thunder aircraft have the same or even superior capabilities to the MiG-29 aircraft of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. By introducing this asset into its inventory the Azerbaijani Armed Forces could increase their combat effectiveness.
PAC company officials said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have high-level relations. Islamabad supports Baku’s positions and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and provided military assistance to the country since the very beginning. Taking these relations into consideration, there will be no problems in the sale of fighter aircraft to Azerbaijan.
According to company’s representatives, within the Pakistan-China cooperation, the production of a Block-2 version of the JF-17 Thunder will soon be launched. This model will be equipped with the newest electronic warfare systems, as well as additional weapon systems. In addition, a two-seat configuration of the aircraft is being developed.
The length of the JF-17 is 14,97 m. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 12474 kg, a combat radius of 1352 km and reaches a maximum speed of 1909 km/h.
A 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon, four air-to-air missiles, one air-to-surface missile, as well as Mk-82, Mk-84 general purpose bombs, GBU-10, GBU-12, LT-2 laser-guided bombs, Matra Durandal anti-runway bombs, CBU-100/Mk-20 Rockeye anti-armour cluster bombs, are among the possible armament of the JF-17. (APA/Rashad Suleymanov)
Pak-China joint Military Excercises at Jhelum
Pakistan-China Joint Military Exercise YOUYI-IV commenced Monday near Jhelum.
According to ISPR, the joint exercise, spread over a period of two weeks, is aimed at sharing mutual exchange of experience and information through a comprehensive training programme in real time.
This exercise is fourth in the series in which Special Forces from both sides will participates. Exercise YOUYI-IV is a Brigade level joint exercise between the two armies. Chinese Army being well equipped and highly technical in nature is very meticulous, keen and equally professional in their approach. During last joint exercise in China they demonstrated high sense of professionalism and friendship towards Pakistan.
Exercise YOUYI which literally translates “FRIENDSHIP” between two countries started in 2004. So far three exercises have been conducted including two in China and one in Pakistan. These exercises were mandated to boost existing professional relationship between the two friendly Armies.
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan and China enjoy extremely close and brotherly relations since their inception, which have matured and strengthened over the years. The forthcoming Joint Military Exercise YOUYI-IV will certainly pave the way for further cementing the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Senior Military leadership from both sides will also attend the Exercise. The YOUYI-IV exercise will be a true manifestation to a famous Chinese phrase “Pakistan China friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than oceans”.
Pakistan China Friendship 