It is in the fundamental interests of both Pakistan and India that
the two countries keep maximum restraint and safeguard peace and
stability in the south Asian region, said Chinese Premier Zhu
Rongji Thursday evening when meeting with Pakistani President
Pervez Musharraf who was in Beijing in transit for the summit
conference of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(
SAARC).
It
is also the common expectation of the international community that
they handle their ties in such a way, Zhu said.
During the meeting, Musharraf gave account of the current situation
of the relations between Pakistan and India, and stressed that
Pakistan hopes for peace and opposes war, and it is willing to ease
the tension through dialogue.
Musharraf said that based on the national interests of the country,
the Pakistani government has already taken and is taking necessary
measures to combat terrorism and contain extremism, with extensive
understanding and support from various walks of life in
Pakistan.
Zhu extended his understanding and appreciation for Pakistan's
active participation in international cooperation on combating
terrorism and its measures against terrorism.
Zhu expressed appreciation for the Pakistani side's adherence to
seeking dialogue and peace under the current tension between
Pakistan and India.
He
hoped the SAARC summit would play a positive role in easing the
tension in the South-Asian region and strengthening cooperation in
the region.
During the meeting, Zhu also spoke highly of Musharraf's visit to
China not long ago, noting that the visit has injected new impetus
into the friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan in the new
century. He conveyed Chinese President Jiang Zemin's greetings to
Musharraf.
Musharraf expressed appreciation for the friendship cherished by
President Jiang Zemin and the Chinese government, noting the
considerate arrangement for his transit by the Chinese side fully
demonstrates the close ties between Pakistan and China.
(Xinhua News
Agency January 4, 2002)