Foreign and Military Affairs

China vows to fight terrorism with Pakistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-20 23:02

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday vowed to enhance cooperation with Pakistan on fighting terrorism and cross-border crimes in a bid to create a sound security environment for the economic and social development of both countries.

While meeting with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Beijing, Hu expressed his appreciation for the contribution Pakistan has made to fighting terrorism, and said China would promote security dialogue and coordination with Pakistan.

Hu said China would join Pakistan in the fight against drug trafficking, cross-border crimes and the "three evil forces"--terrorism, extremism and "splittism," a term adopted by the Chinese government that refers to secession.

Gilani thanked China for its's support of for Pakistan's counter-terrorism effort, saying his country would fight against terrorism in all forms.

Gilani said the Pakistani side is willing to work with the Chinese side to further strengthen practical cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, trade, finance, technology and culture, beef up coordination and dialogue on international and regional issues, deepen friendship between the two countries and constantly advance the strategic partnership of cooperation.

Gilani's visit is one facet of the activities marking the 60th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties and bilateral relations, which both countries hail as time-tested and all-weather.

In the past 60 years, the China-Pakistan friendship, which is passed on from generation from generation, has withstood various tests and become a "precious legacy"of the two peoples, Hu said.

China will work with Pakistan to develop the strategic and cooperative partnership, deepen their friendship and write a new chapter in bilateral, neighborly cooperation, Hu said.

Hu proposed the two countries maintain high-level exchanges, hold timely dialogues on issues concerning each other's core interests, and make practical steps to implement major joint projects in infrastructure, energy and agriculture.

Hu added that the two countries should keep pushing forward on cooperation in areas such as trade, financing and technology.