China to continue backing Pak

China to continue backing Pak
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

BEIJING, JANUARY 17: China on Monday offered the much-needed backing to Pakistan's military government declaring that it would continue to foster its "comprehensive partnership" with Islamabad irrespective of changes taking place internationally or domestically.

The Chinese backing came during a meeting here between its premier Zhu Rongji and visiting Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who is here on a two-day official visit, his first outside the Islamic world after taking over reins of power in a coup on October 12 last.

Zhu welcomed Gen Musharraf as "the first important guest of the new millennium" and said "no matter what changes occur internationally or domestically, the Chinese government will continue to foster its comprehensive partnership with Pakistan."

"The internal affairs of a country should and must be handled by its own people, which is not only the core of the five principles of co-existence Panchsheel, but also a basic policy China has steadfastly pursued and carriedout in handling relations between different countries," the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Zhu as saying.

He, however, hoped that the new Pakistan government would ``properly handle'' various issues facing the country and will have more understanding and support from the international community.

The state-run television CCTV said Gen Musharraf briefed Zhu on the internal situation in Pakistan and the steps taken by his administration to improve peace and stability in South Asia.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, had said after the coup that people of that country were mature enough to decide their own affairs. Pakistan's military regime is facing intense pressure from the West to restore democracy in the country within a time-frame

Zhu said Gen Musharraf's visit would "further develop Sino-Pakistani relation and enhance understanding and trust" and the bilateral ties will witness further development in the new millennium.

He noted that Sino-Pakistani relations have developed sincethe two countries adhered to Panchsheel and said the Chinese government would continue to follow this basic policy.

The Chinese premier said Gen Musharraf's visit is of ``great practical and far-reaching significance and in line with the fundamental interest'' of the people of the two countries, and to further consolidate and strengthen the Sino-Pakistani "comprehensive cooperative partnership, given the continuously changing regional and international situation".