The Hindu : Front Page : China, Pakistan ink deals worth $15 billion

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Sunday, Dec 19, 2010
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Front Page

China, Pakistan ink deals worth $15 billion

Anita Joshua

ISLAMABAD: 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 honour 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, whose leader 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. (This includes the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev from Monday night.) Even from outside P-5, such a high-level visit to Pakistan has become a rarity.

Mr. Wen's visit to the country carries as much weight as the slew of agreements worth billions signed by his delegation. Besides agreements/memoranda of understanding worth $15 billion, Mr. Wen announced a $410-million package for flood relief.

The premiers are understood to have discussed ways of broadbasing and deepening the strategic partnership , though Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani maintained that this relationship was not directed against any country.

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