Musharraf: Stronger economic relations to come ( 2003-11-04 21:08) (Xinhua)
Pervez Musharraf, President
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, said here Tuesday that China has emerged as
a positive force for economic stability and progress in Asia and the world at
large.
At a 40-minute speech at prestigious Beijing University, President Musharraf
looked forward to China's economic engagement in Central and Southwest Asia
"similar to its economic and commercial role across the Asia-Pacific".
"China, which has provided assurance and a safety net to the Southeast Asian
economies when these were shaken by the financial crises of 1997 and 1998, could
help accelerate development and bring about economic integration within Asia,"
he said.
President Musharraf expressed his views on China's economic development and
the friendship between Pakistan and China.
China's growing political and economic strength and its increasingly
important role on the global stage augured well for Asia and the world, he said,
adding that China's political weight had been critical for initiating the Six
Party Talks on the Korean nuclear issue and averting a serious crisis in the
region.
Musharraf also spoke highly of China's positive role in international
affairs: "As a permanent member of the (United Nations) Security Council, China
has an important bearing on issues of international peace and security."
President Musharraf reviewed the long-standing friendship, saying, "We will
be able to carry forward this time-tested friendship to future generations.
"We must set ambitious targets and pursue our cooperation in economic,
commercial and technological fields with utmost vigor."
Speaking of terrorism, Musharraf said, "We clearly don't want to leave the
heritage of living in a dangerous place for future generations."
He said that operations against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Hamas and Hizbullah
would not resolve terrorism, but were of short term value.
"Hopelessness, powerlessness, desperation, injustice and non- resolution of
long-standing political conflicts, poverty and lack of education added, are the
root causes of terrorism," he said.
He suggested the strategy of "enlightened moderation", which was two-pronged,
aiming at Muslims rejecting extremism and opting for socio-economic
emancipation, while also allowing the world, especially the West, to help
resolve political disputes with justice.
President Musharraf concluded his speech with "Long live Pakistan-China
friendship" in Chinese, and answered questions from Beijing University students.
