China, Pakistan ink deals worth $15 billion

Anita Joshua
source: The Hindu  

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, right, speaks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao during the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan China Friendship Center in Islamabad on Saturday. Photo:AP

Burying differences, the entire Pakistani leadership — both civil and military — was out in strength in the capital on Saturday, along with the business community, to serenade Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the second day of his three-day visit to Pakistan.

Through the day packed with engagements for Mr. Wen, the Pakistani leadership's endeavour was to convey to China its gratitude for being a steadfast friend, who chose to visit Pakistan in its hour of trial. China is the only P-5 country to send a head of state/government to Pakistan this year, while the other four permanent members of the U.N. Security Council paid high-level visits to India on their calendar this year. Even from outside P-5, such a high-level visit to Pakistan has become a rarity.

By way of symbolism, Mr. Wen's visit to the country carries as much weight as the slew of agreements worth billions signed by members of his delegationin a wide range of areas.

Besides agreements/memoranda of understanding worth $15 billion, Mr. Wen announced a $410-million package for the ongoing flood relief work.

During their one-on-one interaction, the two premiers are understood to have discussed ways and means of broadbasing and deepening the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, though Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani maintained that this relationship was not directed against any country.