China to help Pak. build deep-sea port

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MAY 12. China has promised support to Pakistan in building an ambitious deep-sea port and development of a coastal highway leading to the Iranian border.

After substantive discussions with the military leadership on the first day of his stay here, the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Zhu Rongji, got down to looking at ways to strengthen the economic ties.

Addressing a meeting of senior members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Rongji said, ``China will support Gawadar deep-sea port and coastal highway projects.'' He put forward a four-point proposal to achieve closer economic bilateral ties.

Mr. Rongji told the meeting, attended among others by the Pakistan military leader and Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, that the Chinese Communications Minister would visit Pakistan soon to ``discuss ways and means and to what extent we can extend support to these projects.''

``The gracious announcement of the Prime Minister regarding the Gawadar port and the coastal highway, if found feasible after the visit of the Chinese Minister, will form a symbol of Pakistan- China friendship in the new millennium,'' Gen. Musharraf said in his speech.

Pakistan has carried out a feasibility study of the project and has been seeking international help for the multi-million dollar port which became important after the 1979-89 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Gawadar offers an important sealane for oil traffic from the region and would also provide the shortest route to the Central Asian republics.

Pakistan has started the 750-km coastal highway from Karachi to the Iranian border but, so far, only a 250 km-stretch has been completed.

Mr. Rongji said Beijing and Islamabad should work together to ensure a just international economic and political order for all developing economies to flourish in. ``The Chinese side is ready to work together with all countries in South Asia including Pakistan and contribute our due share to realizing this goal.''

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Section  : International
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