China moots cooperation in energy with SAARC nations

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) China today offered to intensify cooperation with SAARC countries in infrastructure and energy sectors on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and said it would encourage its enterprises to make investment in the region.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 14th SAARC Summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said his country proposed to institutionalize the China-South Asia Business Forum so that it could serve as a platform for discussions on economic cooperation and trade.

He said China would explore with SAARC the possibility of establishing a China-SAARC regular meeting mechanism for cooperation on disaster relief and mitigation to share experience and information.

Mr Zhaoxing said China and the South Asian nations could achieve a lot in cooperation in human resources development given the abundant human resources in China and the SAARC countries.

''We will invite SAARC countries to attend multilateral training programmes organized by us, and will consider hosting bilateral training programmes for SAARC countries.'' He offered to discuss with SAARC about establishing a cooperation mechanism for poverty alleviation and carrying out comparative study on models of poverty alleviation.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said a workshop would be organised on contemporary China for South Asian diplomats and invite their delegation to visit China this year.

China is also ready to host a seminar on China-SAARC relations for track II academic exchange to provide intellectual support to China-SAARC cooperation, he said.

China is attending the 14th SAARC Summit as an observer.

UNI