CHENGDU (China), April 19 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday inaugurated a new Consulate General building here, the third in China after Shanghai and Hong Kong, saying it will bolster cooperation between the two countries in all fields. The complex in Sichuan Province will cover the fast emerging parts of Western China and neighbouring provinces. Chengdu is home to the Joint Sino-Pak venture of JF-17, multi-role aircraft manufacturing plant and several other high-tech industries.

     The Prime Minister, who is on a six-day visit to China, termed the opening of the Consulate General as another major milestone in the development of Pakistan-China relations.

     He said Pakistan and China were determined to reinforce their exemplary friendship by building strong partnership in economic and trade fields, adding Pakistan was proud of its friendship with China.

     "We are determined to leverage fully the natural economic complementarities for common development of our peoples," he said and expressed the confidence that with the opening of the new Consulate General, age-old ties between the two peoples will be renewed and further invigorated in all domains.

     Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said China is Pakistan's most trusted friend, good neighbour and good partner and expressed determination to further strengthen this friendship and take this partnership to new heights.

     He said the two countries stood by each other and shared views on major international issues.

     The Prime Minister said Sichuan and Punjab were "sister provinces" as the Chinese province lies in a region that extends upto Pakistan. He described the province as fast becoming another show case of  development of China's western regions.

     The Prime Minister said he was "deeply impressed" by the great economic transformation that this region has achieved. He however noted that despite the economic development, the beautiful city of Chengdu has retained its traditional charm and maintained an atmosphere of tranquillity and harmony. 

     He said there were immense opportunities and excellent prospects for developing "win-win

cooperation," especially in economic and trade areas for the development of a vibrant partnership in tourism, culture, education and Science and Technology.

     The Prime Minister recalled that during President General Pervez Musharraf's visit to Sichuan province last year, swift steps were taken by both sides to institutionalize cooperation.

     He said the establishment of the Consulate  will make it possible to promote comprehensive cooperation  and greatly facilitate people from Sichuan to not only visit  Pakistan but also develop business partnerships.

     "We will also promote cooperation between the academia and encourage contacts and cooperation between the faculty and students of the universities of Pakistan and Sichuan," he added. 

     He also expressed the confidence that the Consulate will contribute substantively to realizing the  vision of common development of China and Pakistan.

     Aziz thanked the Chinese Government and the

Sichuan Provincial and Municipal authorities for the cooperation and support they extended in setting up of Pakistan's third Consulate General in China.

     Pakistan's Ambassador to China Salman Bashir said the opening of the consulate reflects commitment of the two countries to further strengthen their ties.

     Cui Tiankai, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs termed it a memorable day in Pak-China multi-dimensional relations. He said a consulate will serve as a bridge to link the two communities.

     Vice Governor of Sichuan province Huang Xiaoxiang said the two countries will sign tomorrow an agreement for closer cooperation between Punjab University and Sichuan University.

     Chinese Minister Jin Zhuang Long and Cui Tiankai, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs accompanied Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz from Beijing to Chengdu.

     The Prime Minister's entourage include Senior

Advisor Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, Ministers for Culture Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Industries Jehangir Tareen, IT Awais Leghari, Investment Zahid Hamid, Science and Technology Nouraiz Shakoor, Minister of State for Religious Affairs  Aamir Liaquat Hussain and senior officials.

      Earlier on arrival at the Chengdu ShuangliuInternational airport, the Prime Minister was received by Vice Governor of Sichuan province Huang Xiaoxiang, Vice Mayor and senior officials. Two Chinese children presented him bouquets.