Li seeks to boost ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang praised the Sino-Pakistan relationship to the hilt yesterday, urging the “all-weather friends” to boost cooperation in business, trade, energy and infrastructure and build a long-vaunted economic corridor.

But not everyone is convinced China has Pakistan interests totally at heart.

Li arrived in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March and after a visit to Pakistan and China’s arch rival, India. He left for Switzerland and Germany later yesterday.

“We want to achieve dynamic balance in our trade,” Li said in an address to the Senate.

“We are ready to work with Pakistan to speed up the project of upgrading the Karakoram Highway, actively explore and develop the long-term plans of building a China-Pakistan economic corridor, expanding our shared interests.”

The Karakoram Highway, built through towering mountains with China’s help, links northern Pakistan with western China.

Li expressed hope for financial, maritime, agricultural, defence and energy cooperation, and praised Pakistan for its “tenacity and fortitude” and “creating one miracle after another”.

“The China-Pakistan friendship has stood the test of hardship and is more precious than gold,” he said.

But some observers have expressed doubts at the prospects of such an economic miracle.

China’s trade with Pakistan rose above a measly $12 billion for the first time last year.