China In Pakistan: Forbes

Megha Bahree, 07.02.09, 06:00 PM EDT

There are 10,000 Chinese workers engaged in 120 projects in Pakistan today. In 2007 Chinese investment in Pakistan was valued at $4 billion, a figure that's estimated to grow to $15 billion by 2010. Given the range of multibillion-dollar projects in which different Chinese companies are currently involved, it is safe to assume that Chinese investment in Pakistan has already exceeded $20 billion, says Tarique Niazi. (Even the colorful auto-rickshaws that run on the streets of Lahore and the North West Frontier Province are made in China.)

China-Pakistan strategic relations began in the late 1950s, when then prime minister Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy met with Chinese premier Zhou Enlai in Indonesia for the foundational meeting of the Non Aligned Movement countries. Later Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in his varying capacities as minister of natural resources or of foreign affairs, as well as president and prime minister, tended these relations to their strategic heights, says Niazi.

There was a dramatic growth in relations when the two countries signed their first trade agreement in 1963; a boundary agreement the same year helped China boost its defense of its Uighur autonomous region of Xinjiang on the China-Pakistan border. In 1966 the two countries started construction of the Karakoram Highway, along one of the old silk routes. Another binding factor was a common enemy: India, which during those years had engaged in separate wars with Pakistan and China.

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Pakistan gets $500 mln from China, officials say: Reuters

KARACHI, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Pakistan has received $500 million from China to help build foreign reserves, two government officials said on Monday.

"The deposit of $500 million from China to Pakistan's central bank is only to build foreign reserves," said one of the officials, both of whom declined to be identified.

"The Ministry of Finance cannot use it for budgetary purposes."

The official also said Pakistan had received $101 million from the United States for logistical support in the campaign against militancy.

Pressure on Pakistan's balance of payments and its currency was easing, partly because of the payments, the official said.

Another government official confirmed that Pakistan had received $500 million from China.

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Pakistan receives 8 Chinese-made jet trainers: Times of India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's air force said it took delivery of an additional eight Chinese-made jet trainers on Friday, underscoring the close military ties between the two countries.

The planes — known as Hongdu JL-8s in China and Karakoram K-8P trainers in Pakistan, were formally handed over at an unidentified Pakistani air force base, according to a statement from the air force public relations office.

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Pakistan to get $500 million each from China, WB: The Nation

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Tarin said on Wednesday that Pakistan would get an amount of US $ 500 million from China by January 5, 2009 while World Bank would extend a similar amount to Pakistan during the next three months. 

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China offers $500 million for Pakistan: domain-b

China has offered to lend up to $500 million to Pakistan as part of its obligation to address concerns over the global financial market crisis and the ensuing economic slump.
China's offer was announced in a statement issued by Shaukat Tarin, economic adviser to Pakistan's prime minister.

The move comes after the Japanese offer to lend up to $100 billion to an IMF bailout fund.
China and Japan are the two Asian countries with the largest dispossable resources at their command. But, for China, the only country with a larger foreign-currency stock than Japan, with nearly $2 trillion in reserves, it's a much smaller donation.

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China assures to stand by all weather ally Pakistan: PTI

Islamabad, Oct 26 (PTI) Pakistan has been assured by it's all weather ally China that it will stand by it under all circumstances and strengthen their strategic partnership.The assurance to this effect was re-conveyed by the Chinese leaders to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during his visit to Beijing that concluded yesterday, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan said.China said it will help safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while maintaining existing strong bonds of friendship.It was both symbolic and substantial in nature that helped to reinforce strong commitment of the two countries to push forward their decades' old relationship, as strong time-tested traditional allies in the region, the envoy said commenting on Premier Gilani's just concluded visit to Beijing for Asia Europe meet.Gilani during his interactions with the Chinese Premier Wen jiabao received strong indications that China will continue to help Pakistan to meet new challenges, in the wake of terrorism and financial crisis.China said it support's Pakistan's stand on counter-terrorism, normalisation of its relations with India and role as a front-line state to wipe out menace of terrorism, the Ambassador said, according to the official APP news agency.

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Pakistan gets power plant deal: LA Times

From the Associated Press

October 19, 2008

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN -- Pakistan said Saturday that China would help build two more nuclear power plants in the energy-starved Muslim nation, tightening the bonds between the two countries as rising militant violence in Pakistan strains its anti-terrorism alliance with the United States.

The nuclear agreement was among a dozen economic cooperation accords signed last week during President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to Beijing, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.

Although Qureshi gave few details, enhanced cooperation with China probably will help ease Pakistan's resentment of a recent deal allowing U.S. businesses to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India.

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Pak, China to jointly establish National Electronics Complex: The News

BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Wednesday signed a framework agreement to jointly establish National Electronics Complex of Pakistan (NECOP). The total amount of the contract, which was signed by Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan and President of CETC Yan Lijin, is estimated at around US $ 300 million, covering civilian, information technology and defense electronic domains in Pakistan. Through the establishment of NECOP, CETC will help Pakistan achieve indigenous research and development and production capabilities after providing sophisticated training and technical assistance packages by fully utilizing local resources.

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Pakistan invites China to join IPI: UPI

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 19 (UPI) -- The Pakistani government formally asked China to join the Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline should India withdraw from the project, Pakistani officials said.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during his visit to Beijing in May invited China to join the $7.4 billion, 1,724-mile natural gas pipeline.

Senior officials in Islamabad told the Daily Times of Pakistan Beijing followed up with a preliminary request for more information on the project. The pipeline will deliver natural gas from the Iranian South Pars field to Pakistan and India.

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Pakistan to provide new routes for Beijing Olympic extra-flights: China View

ISLAMABAD, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan will open new air routes for additional flights to China during the Beijing Olympics, the Geo Channel reported in its website on Thursday.

The report cited civil aviation chief Faruque Rahmatullah as saying that the new air routes for additional flights will help save fuels and add more air traffics to China.

Rahmatullah, director-general of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that the flights coming from Europe and Gulf countries could save half an hour in their journey to Beijing through new route.

He said a new aviation policy has been sent to the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for his approval, which envisages taking aviation industry share in GDP to one percent in the next four years.

Feeder airports would be constructed in collaboration with the private sector for the growth of industry and air service to far-flung areas, said Rahmatullah, adding that the hotels and other trading constructions in Karachi would be undertaken on a sprawling plot of 1500 acres, which is expected to fetch investments amounting to 3 billion U.S. dollars.

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