Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will tour South Asian countries
starting next week, which a senior diplomat viewed on Friday as a
major move to build partnerships and friendships with its
neighbors.
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"South Asia holds an important position for China's diplomacy in
the region, and China attaches great importance to developing
neighborly friendship with all countries in South Asia," said
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei at a news briefing on
Premier Wen's upcoming visit.
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Wen will pay an official visit to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
and India from April 5 to 12. This will be his first visit to the
four South Asian nations since he was elected Chinese Premier in
March 2003.
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The visit by Premier Wen is expected to help China and South Asian
countries enhance traditional friendship, deepen
mutually-beneficial cooperation and increase mutual trust, Wu
said.
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Premier Wen will exchange views with the leaders of the countries
on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, said Wu,
adding that the premier will also visit some areas in Sri Lanka hit
by last December's tsunami, during his tour of the country, said
Wu.
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Wu said Premier Wen is scheduled to attend the celebrations of the
30th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations and 55th
anniversary of China-India relations. Cooperative agreements on
politics, trade, technology and education are expected to be signed
during the premier's tour.
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The premier will address the 4th Ministerial Meeting of Asia
Cooperation Dialogue to be held in Islamabad on April 6, where he
will articulate China's stance on stepping up regional
cooperation.
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"China and South Asian countries share extensive common interests
and similar development goals," said the vice foreign minister.
"China hopes to see a South Asian family enjoying peace,
tranquility, unity and prosperity."
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2005)