ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan attaches very high significance to the Chinese role in Gwadar and would welcome its involvement in the long and short term projects of the area.The Prime Minister stated that his government wanted expeditious completion of Gwadar port and development of its hinterland by putting in place the road, rail and air services related infrastructure.

Pakistan he said also wants establishment of an economic zone and development of tourist resorts in Gwadar area on priority basis.

The Prime Minister was talking to Xu Zuyuan, Vice Minister of Transport of China who along with his delegation called on him at the Prime Minister Secretariat on Monday afternoon.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan would hence forth welcome engagement of the Chinese government and invited the Chinese companies to invest in the Gwadar port and its infrastructure development related projects.

The Prime Minister appreciated the contribution of Chinese Company “China Harbour” in construction of the first phase of Gwadar Port and its present involvement in construction of Quay Wall and Break Water (Marine Protection Works) to develop Deep Water Container Terminal in Karachi.

This project is scheduled to be inaugurated on March 30 during Chinese Vice Minister’s visit.

The Prime Minister also hoped that both countries would fast track the ongoing negotiations for undertaking of projects like up-gradation of Karakoram Highway, establishment of transportation linkages between Pakistan and Afghanistan, upgradation of Rail link between Pakistan and Turkey and Chinese participation in Iran-Pakistan (IP) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipelines.

The Prime Minister while dilating upon excellent relations between Pakistan and China, matured over the decades into a comprehensive Strategic Partnership, stated that Pakistan will never allow any extraneous factor to affect these exemplary ties.

He applauded the valuable contributions of the Chinese entrepreneurs and workers for the economic development of Pakistan.

His Government, he said, was according the highest priority to the security of Chinese nationals facilitating their safe and secure stay in the country in order to complete their projects smoothly and without hindrance.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Pakistan’s strict adherence to one China policy whereby Pakistan considered Taiwan a province of China and Tibet as its inalienable part.

He also reaffirmed his Government’s fullest cooperation with China in countering and defeating the threat of terrorism,  being faced by both the countries.

Xu Zuyuan, Vice Minister of Transport of China conveyed Chinese Premier’s best wishes to the Prime Minister and commended Government of Pakistan’s assistance to the Chinese companies by provision of adequate security to their personnel undertaking about 120 ongoing projects in various fields.

He lauded Prime Minister’s vision for the development of infrastructure in Pakistan and agreed that the infrastructure was the lifeline for economic development of any country.

He assured the Prime Minister that he would convey Prime Minister’s proposals in this regard to the Chinese leadership.

Xu Zuyuan said that undertaking of development of Gawadar port and the related infrastructure will be the second landmark project between the two countries after the construction of Karakoram Highway.

He added that his side would positively consider participation in the development plan for Gwadar as well as the railways, road and air connectivity vision of Pakistan with China-Afghanistan and Turkey via Iran.