'China is a friend of India and Pakistan'

Beijing, Oct 22: China has reportedly hailed the opening up of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan through two road routes after 60 years, saying that the two countries would work harder to promote bilateral relations. "China is a neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang during a press briefing in Beijing here on Wednesday, Oct 22.

On the occasion, Gang also said that Beijing would continue to co-operate with Pakistan in its endeavour in the civilian nuclear energy field. "I have repeated on many occasions that we have sound co-operation and relations with Pakistan. We would like to continue this co-operation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit." He added: "Such co-operation is for peaceful purpose and consistent with the two countries' respective international obligations and subject to International Atomic Energy Agency supervision."

Meanwhile, in a TV interview, Pakistan's Ambassador to China Masood Khan said that the recent visit of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to China was 'highly successful'.

Zardari and Chinese President Hu Jintao had discussed Pakistan's economic situation, he said and added that Chinese financial assistance would be received in three ways - the banking sectors of the two countries would interact with each other on a regular basis, firms and corporations having links with Pakistan would make deposits in Pakistani banks, and China would make direct investment in various sectors in Pakistan.

He added that Pakistan and China had been collaborating with each other on nuclear energy and "such agreements are already present".

ANI