Not long ago, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council accepted the interview of the Associated Press of Pakistan on the eve of his upcoming 4-nation tour to South Asia. The full text of the interview is as followed.
ⅰ. How to comment China-Pakistan cooperation in 21st century? What is the significance of your upcoming visit to Pakistan in further developing the friendly cooperation between the two countries?
A: On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I'd like to extend my kind greetings and best wishes to the Pakistani government and people through the Associated Press of Pakistan.
China-Pakistan relationship has withstood the test of time and the changing international environment and has developed into all-climate and multi-faceted partnership. China and Pakistan are good friends, good neighbors and good partners.
The relations between our two countries in new times should develop on the basis of deepening cooperation through friendship and consolidating friendship through cooperation. While deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in every field, both countries should give priority to driving and strengthening the economic and trade exchange. In accordance with the guiding principles and cooperation directions identified in the Joint Declaration Between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation issued by the heads of state of the two countries in 2003, the Chinese government will work together with Pakistan to continuously adopt down-to-earth measures to expand fields of cooperation and advance the cooperation level so that China-Pakistan cooperation could serve the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and serve the peace and development cause in this region.
I expect that my visit to your country in April could strengthen the friendship between the Chinese people and the Pakistani people. I will discuss with Pakistani leaders on new measures to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and to push the friendly cooperative relations to a new height
ⅱ. Bilateral trade is the field to be further strengthened in the economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. What specific measures should be adopted by the two sides?
A: Both China and Pakistan have witnessed rapid economic development, which will provide opportunities for us to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of economy and trade. The Chinese government attaches importance to the economic cooperation with Pakistan and is willing to work with Pakistan to advance the level of cooperation.
The trade between China and Pakistan grows rapidly. In 2004, the bilateral trade volume reached US$ 3,060,000,000 up 26% compared to the same period last year. The development is in progress. We hope that both sides will adopt effective measures to expand bilateral trade and to promote the level of economic and trade cooperation between our two countries.
What's worth mentioning is that the industrial structure and trade structure of both sides enjoy strong complementarities, which provide good conditions for both countries to establish Free Trade Area (FTA). China is willing to have active discussion with Pakistan on this issue.
ⅲ. China's investment in Pakistan is one of important factors to drive the economic development of Pakistan. Which new investment projects will be launched by Chinese enterprises in Pakistan? What is your comment on further strengthening the cooperation between private sectors of both countries?
A: Mutual investment is an important part of the economic and trade cooperation between China and Pakistan, which merits further expansion. We are glad to see that Haier Group, the largest household appliance enterprise in China, has successfully built the industrial park in Pakistan, setting a good example for other Chinese enterprises.
Some Chinese enterprises are discussing with the Pakistani side on building joint ventures in Pakistan. The delegation of Chinese private entrepreneurs just visited Pakistan. Both sides reached common consensus in developing cooperation in various fields. Some Chinese agricultural institutions concerned are cooperating with the Pakistani side in the field of farm products processing and agricultural technology.
The Chinese government will continue to encourage and support private sectors of two countries to strengthen cooperation, make use of complementary advantages, and achieve mutual reciprocity and win-win results so as to promote the sustained and long-term development of the economic and trade relations of both countries.
ⅳ. The completion of Gwadur Port Project brings new and broad opportunities to promote the economic and trade cooperation in this region. Pakistan is hopeful to become the ideal production and export base for China and other countries. What is your comment on this?
A: Gwadur Port Project is an important cooperation project of China and Pakistan. We are glad to see that the first phase of this project has successfully completed with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan. We believe that the completion of Gwadur Port Project will play an important role in promoting the social and economic development of this region and bringing new opportunities for China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation.
ⅴ. What's China's comment on its own role in promoting the peace and development in Asia, especially in South Asia and even in the world at large?
A: China adheres to the peaceful development. China develops itself in the process of maintaining world peace and promotes world peace and prosperity with its own development. China will continue to pursue its independent foreign policy of peace, maintain world peace and strive for common development.
China's development requires a long-term stable international environment, especially a stable neighboring environment. Mutually beneficial development in Asian region is in good progress. Mutual interests are getting more and more connected. China will adhere to the foreign policy of "being a friend and neighbor". China is willing to strengthen the solidarity and friendship with all countries in Asia, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the peace and development in Asia and in the world at large.
South Asia is an important region in Asia and even in the world. South Asia boasts of a large population, vast territory and rich resources. There are great potentials for development. China and South Asian countries are both neighbors and developing countries. It is our common wish to seek peace, strive for stability and promote development. It is the unswerving policy of the Chinese government to strengthen good-neighborly relations with the countries in South Asia and to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. China sincerely hopes that the countries in South Asia could treat each other equally, live in harmony, and address differences and conflicts in a peaceful way. We also hope that long-term stability in South Asia will be maintained, economic development promoted and people's living standards improved. China will, as always, support all endeavors in favor of the peace, stability and development in South Asia.
ⅵ. What is your comment on constantly-changing international political situation? How to solve various problems faced by the international community? Some people think that solving the pending disputes is extremely important for maintaining world peace and stability. Do you agree with this opinion?
A: The international situation is experiencing complicated and profound changes. Peace and development is still the theme of our times. World multi-polarization and economic globalization are developing in twists and turns. Seeking for peace and development and promoting cooperation and progress have become an inevitable historic trend. Unilateralism has new developments. Local and regional conflicts never stop. Traditional security issues are mingled with non-traditional security issues. All these pose serious challenges to the development of all countries.
In view of various problems faced by the world, we advocate addressing these problems through dialogues and cooperation. Meanwhile, we should find and expand the converging interests and reduce discrepancies between each other to achieve mutual reciprocity and win-win results. As for those pending issues, we should try to find solutions to these problems through friendly and equal negotiation by proceeding from the macro perspective and taking the long-term interest into consideration. We do not allow these problems to affect local and even global peace and stability.