Gilani calls for greater global role for China

Gilani calls for greater global role for China



As the Pakistan Prime Minister begins four-day visit, Chinese state media downplays suggestions that a Pakistan-U.S. rift was bringing the two allies even closer

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday began his four-day China visit voicing strong support for a greater role for Beijing on the international stage and underscoring the deepening ties between the “all-weather” strategic allies.
“We are happy to see China shape the 21st century world,” Mr. Gilani said, inaugurating a cultural form in Suzhou, an ancient Chinese city in southern Jiangsu province.
“We admire the accomplishments of the great Chinese nation,” he said. “The world is witnessing today a renaissance of ancient glorious Chinese civilisation. I have no doubt that Chinese sagacity and thought will have a profoundly beneficial impact on mankind as a
whole.”
Mr. Gilani said the two countries were “building new bridges” and “enhancing connectivity,” stressing the growing cultural contact between both countries. He pointed to the setting up of Confucius Institutes in Pakistan, as well as Pakistan study centres at some of China’s biggest universities, as bringing the two countries closer.
Mr. Gilani’s visit was scheduled to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, on May 21. It has, however, been seen as assuming particular significance amid new uncertainties facing the region, following the May 2 killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Laden’s killing has led to increased international pressure on Islamabad to crack down on terrorist groups operating on its soil, with calls from some U.S. legislators to scale back financial assistance.
In recent days, Chinese officials have strongly supported Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, as well as called on “relevant countries” to continue supporting Pakistan. Chinese officials and analysts have also hit out at criticism, voiced by U.S. officials, India and other Western countries, at Pakistan’s failure to effectively crack down on terror, stressing the country’s “sacrifices” at the “forefront” of the fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan's sincerity in the anti-terror crusade should not be questioned as the country has borne and continues to bear the brunt of international terrorism,” the official China Daily said in an
editorial. “In addition to the huge cost in human lives, direct and indirect Pakistani losses engendered from the fight against terrorism over the past 10 years have reached $100 billion.”
In Suzhou, Mr. Gilani particularly pointed to trust and closeness between the two countries, at a time when Islamabad’s ties with Washington have been strained by growing mistrust.
“The China-Pakistan friendship epitomises complete understanding, full trust and mutual cooperation and harmony,” he said.
On Wednesday, Chinese state media did, however, downplay suggestions that strains with the U.S. would see a tightening of China’s ties with Pakistan.
“Any over-interpretation of Gilani's ongoing visit to China will prove to be superficial and speculative,” the China Daily said.
The newspaper also said China was supportive of better ties between Pakistan and the U.S., saying the two countries’ “stable and growing bilateral relationship does not target any third party, but rather contributes to regional peace and stability.”
“China hopes to see U.S.-Pakistani relations improve as it is in the same boat with the two
countries in fighting terrorism,” it said.
Sun Shihai, vice-director of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Communist Party-run Global Times that Mr. Gilani’s visit would not impact Pakistan’s ties with the U.S., even as other analysts suggests the Pakistan Prime Minister was seeking greater Chinese economic and diplomatic support during his visit to China.
“I don’t think Gilani’s visit to China has any special implications for Pakistan-U.S. relations because all parties have their own to play for the regional stability,” he said.

What greater role than now?

Do they have a second Osama which China can take on ??

Every now and then , when in trouble , this guy go to China and hugs few Chinese and make statements like "we are brothers", "we are friends for life: etc etc.. Its kinda repetitive.

I think they are looking for some kind of open support from china in case of aggression by USA and European. I am not sure but yesterday Helicopter attack must have rattled them .West is not going to take things lying down and not they will be asking China to come put openly in their support . Things are going to be intresting in coming days.

Well Done mr gilani

Bend over and allow a free motion to the US on the western front and do the same with China on the eastern front.

Long live islamic terrorist republic of pakistan.

Does greater roll mean asking more aid and money? I think if there was no India Pakistan would be occupied by China or be in furious border dispute with it.

Few trade deals from US and China will shut off for a while.. We all know about China.

China is a smart nut to crack, they please every leader who visits their country .

I have observed this over the years , send the indian PM tomorrow and you will see they asking pakistan to stop terror camps in POK.

The better and faster we understand China and follow a policy of no indulgence in each others business its better for us.

China is a smart nut to crack, they please every leader who visits their country .

I have observed this over the years , send the indian PM tomorrow and you will see they asking pakistan to stop terror camps in POK.

The better and faster we understand China and follow a policy of no indulgence in each others business its better for us.

China-Pakistan is expected to sign mutual defence pact in this visit. Any implications for the world as a whole???

Now that is scary.

This effectively means Pakistan can keep exporting terror and go scot-free while India will not be able to invade Pakistan. All these years they were under the US protection blanket. Now, after OBL's death, they are seeking protection from PRC.

Seriously, what a country of wretches!

PLA daily has confirmed that there is no mutual defence pact and all of it is overinterpretation.no need to worry why would china stake their arse for the bious and holy

Thanks for the post. The last thing we want is to Pakistan carrying on its terror activities and we are left with choosing between (1) remaining silent or (2) waging war with Pakistan and PRC.

That is an eventuality that we have to prepare for. Mutual defense agreement or not, the specter of a two front war is very much there and the armed forces have already started to seriously think about it.