Is Wen's cosying up to Pak, cause for worry?

Islamabad, Dec 18: After the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao's successful visit to India, the premier is in Pakistan expanding diplomatic relations with its long-term ally. The three-day stop in Pakistan will see Wen signing major trade agreements to the tune of billions with Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Wen Jiabao's visit can be termed key in furthering Pakistan's dwindling economic conditions following Islamist insurgency and other political and economic turmoil that has choked the country's progress. "China and Pakistan were, are and will always be good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers," Wen said during talks with Gilani.

While China pledged support to Pakistan to rebuild many towns that were devastated by floods, Wen also suggested better collaboration in trade, investment and financial sectors. Wen proclaimed that 2011 be declared as the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship, marking 60 years of friendship and diplomatic relations.

Security issues will also feature high on the agenda.The growing threat by Taliban and al-Qaida personnel in Pakistan is something that concerned China. The mark of the "all-weather friendship" being both country's military cooperation is the JF-17 Thunder aircraft, a joint venture between the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said, "Lately we have been trying to expand the scope of this relationship because our economic and trade relations do not really depict or portray the strength of our political relationship. Our bilateral trade is close to 7 (b) billion US dollars, which is nothing."

Also in the pipeline is Islamabad's plan to purchase two nuclear reactors from China.

OneIndia News