BEIJING, Oct 15 (APP): Pakistan and China Wednesday signed eleven agreements, MOUs and protocols to enhance bilateral cooperation on sound footing in diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology. The signing ceremony held, at the Great Hall of the People here, was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao after an hour long one-on-one interaction between the two leaders and two-hours long delegation level talks.

The two presidents will issue a Joint Statement (Thursday) reflecting their resolve and commitment to carry the bilateral relations and cooperation to new heights.

President Hu Jintao hosted a banquet in honour of the President and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People after the delegations level parleys and agreements-signing ceremony.

Earlier both sides agreed to strengthen strategic partnership in all dimensions, reinvigorate the multi-faceted bilateral relations, intensify economic cooperation and foster people to people contacts in the coming years.

The two leaders and their delegations had wide-ranging discussions in warm and friendly atmosphere characteristic of long-standing ties between the two countries, Pakistan’s Ambassador in China Masood Khan told the media persons after the signing ceremony.

The talks emphasized upon retrieving the economic cooperation on strong footing in multi dimensions in line with the mutuality of interests and convergence of views in this regard.

The importance of President’s engagements on Wednesday is also marked by his threadbare interactions with the heads and chief executives of major Chinese companies operating in different sectors including banking, steel, mineral, cement, trade and other important segments of the economy.

The President’ visit to China has a special significance not only as President Zardari’s first official visit abroad, but also as the first interaction between Pakistan’s newly elected democratic leadership and China’s fourth Generation leadership that has overseen China’s dramatic economic development and progress.

During the talks, President Hu Jintao congratulated President Zardari on his election as President of Pakistan. He expressed confidence that the traditional brotherly relations between the two countries would be further beefed up under President Zardari’s leadership.

President Hu also thanked the people of Pakistan for their invaluable assistance in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit China’s Wenchuat province earlier this year.

President Zardari offered his felicitations to the government and people of China on his tremendous success of the recently concluded Beijing Olympic games. He stated that the impressive manner in which the Olympic Games had been conducted underlined the giant strides made by the Chinese nation.

The President also congratulated his Chinese counterpart on the successful completion of the Shenzou VII Mission, terming it another milestone in China’s extraordinary scientific and technological advance.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growth of Pakistan-China relations, since the diplomatic ties were first established between the two countries.

They agreed that Pakistan China friendship has truly stood the test of time and history and has emerged stronger with every important change in the international, regional and domestic environment.

Strong, multi-faceted and long-term relationship with China is not only the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, but the fervent desire of its people. He conveyed the Pakistani people’s appreciation for the assistance rendered by China in Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

President Hu described Pakistan as China’s brotherly country and time-tested friend, said a news release issued on the occasion. He noted in particular the fraternal ties that exist between the peoples of the two countries.

Both President Zardari and President Hu appreciated the need for strengthening good neighbourly relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. They stressed the importance of reinforcing efforts for deepening the Pakistan-China Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in the new circumstances.

It was agreed that increased trade and economic cooperation should be centerpiece of the bilateral relationship. It was accordingly decided to accelerate the implementation of the Five Year Development Programme on Economic Cooperation.

Hu Jintao reiterated China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He condemned the recent terrorist atttacks in Pakistan and appreciated the sacrifices being made by Pakistan in its struggle against the global menace of terrorism, said the news release.

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to continue fighting terrorism and extremism. He said this fight was in Pakistan’s own national interest as the scourge of terrorism threatened Pakistan’s stability and its future as a prosperous and progressive Muslim state.

The two sides signed the following MoUs/Agreements

· Agreement on economic and technical cooperation

· Amending Protocol to Free Trade Agreement

· Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the field of mineral

· MoU on Cooperation between the Ministry of Land Resources of PRC and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan

· Agreement on environmental Protection

· Framework agreement for cooperation in the field of radio and television

· Paksat-IR Satellite procurement contract

· MoU on scientific collaboration in agricultural research and technical cooperation

· Agreement on properties exchange between the ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

· Cooperation agreement between Beijing Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Natural History of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

· MoU on cooperation between Cricket Association of the PRC and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

· MoU on project of X-Ray container/vehicle inspection system