Pakistan and China stand by each other on all issues: Aziz
* PM opens Pakistan consulate general in Chengdu
* Terms JF-17 Thunder flagship of Sino-Pak friendship
CHENGDU: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday called the joint Sino-Pak venture of manufacturing JF-17 Thunder aircraft a “flagship of Pak-China friendship” which would strengthen the defence ties between the two countries.
During his visit to the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Resource Institute (CATI) and Chengdu Air-manufacturing Company (CAC), the PM expressed satisfaction over the pace of development of the “modern and potent” combat aircraft. He was briefed about the capabilities of the aircraft, its design, production phases and future plans.
Aziz said induction of JF-17 aircraft into the Pakistan Air Force would enhance its capability. He was informed that two more aircraft would arrive in Pakistan in July and another four in December this year.
The PM was told that Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra personnel were being trained in China.
Aziz also opened a new consulate general building in Chengdu, the third in China after Shanghai and Hong Kong. He said the consulate general would bolster cooperation in all fields between the two countries. The complex in Sichuan province will cover the fast emerging parts of Western China and neighbouring provinces.
He said Pakistan and China were determined to reinforce their exemplary friendship by contracting strong ties in economic and trade fields. “We are determined to leverage fully the natural economic complementarities for common development of our peoples,” he said.
The PM said the two countries stood by each other and shared views on major international issues. He said Sichuan and Punjab were “sister provinces”. Despite the economic development, he said, Chengdu had retained its traditional charm and maintained an atmosphere of tranquillity and harmony.
He said establishment of the consulate would help people in Sichuan to visit Pakistan and develop business partnerships.
Aziz praised the Chinese government and Sichuan provincial and municipal authorities for their cooperation in establishing Pakistan’s third consulate general in China.
Sichuan Vice Governor Huang Xiaoxiang said the two countries would sign an agreement for developing cooperation between the Punjab University and the Sichuan University.
The PM’s entourage consisted of senior advisor Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, Culture Minister Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Industries Minister Jehangir Tareen, IT Minister Awais Leghari, Investment Minister Zahid Hamid, Science and Technology Minister Nouraiz Shakoor and Minister of State for Religious Affairs Aamir Liaquat Hussain. app
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