This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6175372.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| China and Pakistan in trade pact | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Chinese President Hu Jintao has signed a free trade deal with his Pakistani counterpart, Gen Pervez Musharraf, during talks in Islamabad. | |
| Diplomats say the agreement could triple the value of bilateral trade within five years, to $15bn. | Diplomats say the agreement could triple the value of bilateral trade within five years, to $15bn. |
| President Hu is also expected to give a live television address on Pakistani television later on Friday. | |
| He arrived in the country on Thursday after holding three days of trade and political talks in India. | He arrived in the country on Thursday after holding three days of trade and political talks in India. |
| President Hu's visit to Pakistan - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade. | President Hu's visit to Pakistan - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade. |
| The two countries are expected to cement their 55-year relationship with accords on trade, culture and energy. | The two countries are expected to cement their 55-year relationship with accords on trade, culture and energy. |
| At a dinner on Thursday evening, Gen Musharraf told President Hu that Pakistan's friendship with China remained constant despite changing global circumstances. | At a dinner on Thursday evening, Gen Musharraf told President Hu that Pakistan's friendship with China remained constant despite changing global circumstances. |
| We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers President Hu Jintao India and China's new course | We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers President Hu Jintao India and China's new course |
| The state-run Chinese news agency, Xinhua, said "unprecedented" agreements were expected to be signed with Pakistan during Mr Hu's visit, but gave no further details. | |
| There has been speculation that these agreements could involve an expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry. | There has been speculation that these agreements could involve an expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry. |
| China has already built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. | China has already built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. |
| 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 US has refused to provide the kind of civil nuclear assistance it has promised 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 US has refused to provide the kind of civil nuclear assistance it has promised India. |
| Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on nuclear co-operation, and China is also one of Pakistan's main suppliers of conventional weapons. The two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft. | Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on nuclear co-operation, and China is also one of Pakistan's main suppliers of conventional weapons. The two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft. |
| China has also ploughed millions of dollars in a "megaport" in south-west Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea. | |
| Important agreements | Important agreements |
| Our correspondent says that, historically, China and Pakistan formed a bloc against India - but economic considerations are now more important than Cold War-era rivalries. | |
| Indian obstacles facing China | Indian obstacles facing China |
| President Hu's visit is intended to reassure Pakistan - Beijing's closest ally in South Asia - of its continued strategic and economic support despite China's closer ties with India. | |
| Mr Hu's four-day visit to Pakistan was preceded by a landmark trip to the Indian capital Delhi, and financial centre Mumbai (Bombay). | |
| Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival in Islamabad. | Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival in Islamabad. |
| Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute, and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital. | Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute, and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital. |
| A state banquet was later held in Mr Hu's honour. | A state banquet was later held in Mr Hu's honour. |
| "We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers," Mr Hu told those present, promising a new era of co-operation. | "We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers," Mr Hu told those present, promising a new era of co-operation. |