* Beijing to give Islamabad soft loan, encourage investment by top business corporations

BEIJING: China will stand by Pakistan in all circumstances to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while maintaining the existing bonds of their strategic partnership.

This assurance was conveyed to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani by Chinese leaders during Gilani’s visit to Beijing that concluded on Saturday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan said.

Gilani, during his interaction with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Jia Qingling, was assured that China would continue to help Pakistan meet new challenges in the wake of terrorism and a financial crisis.

China is supportive of Pakistan's stand on counterterrorism, normalisation of its relations with India and its role as a frontline state to wipe out terrorism, Khan said.

Loan: China assured Pakistan that it would help the country overcome its financial difficulties. Besides giving direct financial help in terms of a soft loan, Chinese leadership will encourage its top-level business corporations to investment more in Pakistan.

Gilani also conveyed Pakistan's interest in constructing small and medium sized dams and hydel power generation, infrastructure development, energy and coal development, banking and financial co-operation in collaboration with China.

While addressing the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit meeting, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan's views on the prevailing situation in developing countries, including Pakistan, that were adversely affected in the wake of the global financial crisis.

In his address at the summit’s plenary session, the prime minister emphasised that the international community should show more willingness to assist Pakistan in fighting terrorism and eradicating poverty.

The ASEM leaders adopted three documents during the summit proceedings, the most important of which was the ‘Statement on the International Financial Situation’. Other documents endorsed by the summit were ‘China's Statement’ issued by Beijing as the host and ‘Beijing Declaration of Sustainable Development’.

Pakistan's initiative to hold a seminar on the Euro-Asia Land Bridge was also endorsed by the summit that was meant to highlight Pakistan's geo-strategic position as a link between Europe and Asia. The leadership of both the countries paid special emphasis on Chinese investment in Pakistan and raising bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2011. app

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