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Key China-Pakistan deals expected Key China-Pakistan deals awaited
(about 3 hours later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Pakistan after three days of trade and political talks in India.Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Pakistan after three days of trade and political talks in India.
He was given a red-carpet welcome by President Musharraf and other officials at the start of his four-day visit.
The two countries are expected to cement their 55-year relationship with accords on trade, culture and energy.
The state-run Chinese news agency said unprecedented agreements were expected to be signed with Pakistan during Mr Hu's visit, but gave no details.The state-run Chinese news agency said unprecedented agreements were expected to be signed with Pakistan during Mr Hu's visit, but gave no details.
Correspondents say there has been speculation that they could involve a big expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry. There has been speculation that they could involve a big expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry.
This is similar to a recent civilian nuclear deal between the US and India. The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says Pakistan wants China to help it build more nuclear power reactors to meet growing energy demands, especially since the United States has refused to provide the kind of civil nuclear assistance it has promised to India.
Our correspondent says Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on nuclear co-operation and China is one of Pakistan's main suppliers of conventional weapons - but economic considerations are now more important than obsolete cold war rivalries.
Important agreementsImportant agreements
Correspondents say that President Hu's visit is intended to reassure Pakistan - Beijing's closest ally in South Asia - of its strategic and economic support despite closer ties with India.Correspondents say that President Hu's visit is intended to reassure Pakistan - Beijing's closest ally in South Asia - of its strategic and economic support despite closer ties with India.
Pakistan and China's closer ties Obstacles facing ChinaPakistan and China's closer ties Obstacles facing China
President Hu's four-day visit - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade.President Hu's four-day visit - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival from Mumbai (Bombay) after a landmark three-day trip to India.Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival from Mumbai (Bombay) after a landmark three-day trip to India.
Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital and along the route from the airport.Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital and along the route from the airport.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that several important agreements would be signed during the president's "very significant" visit.Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that several important agreements would be signed during the president's "very significant" visit.
"China has been a consistent and a reliable friend of Pakistan for the last 55 years and we have very deep and strong cooperation in all areas," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP news agency."China has been a consistent and a reliable friend of Pakistan for the last 55 years and we have very deep and strong cooperation in all areas," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP news agency.
"A number of agreements will be signed during this visit which will further strengthen existing cooperation in various fields, and will also expand bilateral relationship to the education, social and culture sectors," Ms Aslam said."A number of agreements will be signed during this visit which will further strengthen existing cooperation in various fields, and will also expand bilateral relationship to the education, social and culture sectors," Ms Aslam said.
She said that recent reports that the two countries may sign a nuclear deal similar to one agreed by India and the US earlier this year were "speculative".She said that recent reports that the two countries may sign a nuclear deal similar to one agreed by India and the US earlier this year were "speculative".
"However we have a long-standing cooperation in the civil nuclear field with China and a broad ranging agreement was signed in February 2006 when President Musharraf visited China.""However we have a long-standing cooperation in the civil nuclear field with China and a broad ranging agreement was signed in February 2006 when President Musharraf visited China."
'Megaport''Megaport'
On Friday, President Hu will deliver a live television address to the Pakistani nation, the first foreign leader to do so since US President Bill Clinton in 2000.On Friday, President Hu will deliver a live television address to the Pakistani nation, the first foreign leader to do so since US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that people like to talk about an "all-weather relationship" with China.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that people like to talk about an "all-weather relationship" with China.
Our correspondent says that the friendship is seen as one of Islamabad's most stable alliances.Our correspondent says that the friendship is seen as one of Islamabad's most stable alliances.
The two countries have close economic ties.The two countries have close economic ties.
China has built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. Beijing is the largest arms supplier to Islamabad and the two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft.China has built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. Beijing is the largest arms supplier to Islamabad and the two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft.
China has also ploughed millions of dollars in a "megaport" in southwest Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea.China has also ploughed millions of dollars in a "megaport" in southwest Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea.
India is suspicious of China's close support for Pakistan and its military ties with India's historical rival.India is suspicious of China's close support for Pakistan and its military ties with India's historical rival.
But Mr Hu has said his country could help forge peace between the South Asian rivals and that Beijing sought no "selfish gains" in South Asia.But Mr Hu has said his country could help forge peace between the South Asian rivals and that Beijing sought no "selfish gains" in South Asia.