Pakistan, China sign MoUs on first day of Wen’s visit
By IANSFriday, December 17, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and China Friday signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on expanding cooperation in the economy, energy, security and technology sectors as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began his two-day visit to the country, a media report said.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Wen Jiabao witnessed the signing of the documents at the Prime Minister House, as the respective ministers of both countries signed the documents, Geo TV reported.
The agreements and MoUs were signed to expand cooperation in the areas of management, training, education and modernization of railways, among others.
The first MoU on the setting up of cultural centres was signed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese Culture Minister Cai Wu.
The second MoU on Pakistan-China road transport cooperation was signed by Pakistan’s Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Chinese Transport Minister Li Shenglin.
The agreement on economic and technical cooperation, which will see a grant of 200 million yuan from China for flood reconstruction projects, was signed by Pakistan Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chinese minister and China International Trade Representative Gao Hucheng.
Both countries also signed a MoU on cooperation between Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Securities Regulatory Commission of China (SRCC). It was signed by SECP commissioner Tahir Mahmood and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian.
Another MoU on setting up of an energy working group between National Energy Administration of China and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan was signed by secretary of Pakistan’s Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry Imtiaz Kazi and vice minister and head of China’s National Energy Administration Qian Zhimin.
A government concessional loan agreement on the Safe City Islamabad Project was signed between Pakistan and the EXIM Bank of China.
Two more agreements, including one on providing license for setting up Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in the country, was signed by the representatives of both countries.
