BEIJING, March 21 (APP) - Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that his meetings with Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing were very productive and successful, as both the sides agreed on the need of strengthening economic underpinning to their existing very strong political and defense relationship.

     In an interview with APP at the end of his official visit to Beijing he  said, his tour was a success, reflecting the feelings of the close brotherhood and friendship between Pakistan and China.

     Kasuri said that he was touched by the fact that the Chinese Premier  Wen Jiabao  during his meeting on Tuesday has particularly recalled memorable visit to Pakistan and felt the sort of affection he had received.       

     During his meeting with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, he thanked for the singular honour b eing the first foreign leader provided oppurtunity to visit the China's highly safeguarded space facilities.

     The fact that he was allowed to visit the China's top facility in space  exploration was an indication of the closeness of the relations between the two countries, he said.

     Khurshid Kasuri expressed the hope that during the upcoming visit of  Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the process for cooperation for peaceful use of space would be carried further.

     He said that during his meetings with the Premier and the Foreign  Minister Li Zhaozing both was agreed to strengthen economic underpinnings to their very strong political and defence relationship. Both sides reiterated their conviction, implementation of 5-year Economic and Trade Programme, the Free Trade Agreement and the Joint Investment Company. These accords were the landmark documents and would pave the ground for further Chinese investment in major projects in Pakistan.

      He said that both the sides felt that during the last 2-3 years the relationships which were always very close in various areas had acquired a new momentum in the economic sector.

      The Foreign Minister pointed out that Pakistan will soon open the Consulate General in Chengdu. "This will yet be  another example of Pakistan desire to forge ever closer relationship with China.

     China expressed satisfaction with the induction of JF-17 in PAF, while both sides agreed to develop border region by creating Trans-Border Economic Zone and on the need for framework agreement on cooperation in mineral and cooperation in banking sectors.

     Kasuri said after holding talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing that lasted approximately three hours here on Tuesday.

      The two Foreign Ministers expressed, in the spirit of the talks  that Foreign Minister Kasuri had with the Chinese Prime Minister, a desire to upgrade Pakistan-China relationship to new heights.

     The Foreign Minister Kasuri mentioned the inauguration of first phase  of Gwadar Port and thanked China for its assistance in building the Deep Sea Port.

     The Chinese Foreign Minister Li congratulated the government and people  of Pakistan on this development.

     It may be recalled that China had sent Minister of Communications as a  Special Envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony held at Gwadar on Tuesday.

     Foreign Minister Li expressed satisfaction on induction of two JF-17  aircrafts in Pakistan Air Force.

     The aircraft has been jointly built by Pakistan and China. More JF-17 aircraft are under production and these will become the mainstay of Pakistan and Chinese Air Force. The two JF-17 aircrafts will fly during the National Day parade to be held on March 23.

    Foreign Minister Li, in response to a proposal from Foreign Minister  Kasuri about developing trans-border economic zone between Pakistan and China on the model of China-South East Asia Economic Cooperation told  Kasuri that it was a good model to replicate in respect of China and Pakistan also and said that the experts from two countries would study the proposal.

The two Foreign Ministers held a comprehensive exchange of views on  regional and international issues of mutual interest which included the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India aimed at addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the Iran nuclear issue, situation in Afghanistan, Six-party talks on North Korea and a number of other issues.

    The Chinese Foreign Minister complemented President Pervez Musharraf  and the government of Pakistan for showing leadership and vision with respect to Pakistan-India peace process.