News
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pakistan, China may ink civil N-pact
* President Zardari arrives in Beijing on first official visit
* Will sign agreements, MoUs, protocols to expand co-operation
* FT report says Zardari expected to seek soft loan of between $500 million and $1.5 billionBEIJING/ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari may sign a preliminary civilian nuclear pact with China during his visit to the country, Pakistan’s ambassador to China said on Tuesday. Speaking to Geo News channel in Beijing, Masood Khan hinted that a nuclear deal could be on the cards during four days of talks. “Both countries have always supported the peaceful use of civil nuclear energy,” Khan said, adding an agreement was “expected in this connection”. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang also indicated that nuclear energy co-operation would be discussed during Zardari’s visit, when he will meet President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, but he gave no specifics. “China and Pakistan share sound co-operation in nuclear energy. China is ready, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, to continue its co-operation with Pakistan,” he said. First visit: The president arrived in China Tuesday on his first official visit since assuming office. The formal welcome ceremony for the president will be held today (Wednesday) at the Great Hall of the People, where Jintao will receive him. Zardari will also hold meetings with National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qingling, and business leaders. Agreements: Over a dozen agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols to expand co-operation in diverse fields between Pakistan and China are to be signed during the visit. Soft loan: The Financial Times newspaper also reported Tuesday, without citing sources, Zardari would seek a soft loan of between $500 million and $1.5 billion from China to help Pakistan out of its financial crisis. agencies
Courtesy DailyTimes