China says Sino-Pak strategic ties not directed against anyone

K J M Varma
Beijing, Jul 8 (PTI) Amid concerns voiced by India over
China's plans to have a rail link with Pakistan through the
Karakoram ranges, Beijing Thursday said the Sino-Pak
"strategic" partnership was not aimed at targeting any third
country.
"China and Pakistan are strategic partners enjoying
profound traditional friendship. We have shared deepening
cooperation across the board," Foreign office spokesman Qin
Gang said at a press briefing while evading a direct response
to a query about reports of the proposed rail link through the
disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region.
"Our cooperation is traditionally beneficial and not
targeted against any third country. Such cooperation is not
only beneficial for the two countries but also great for the
peace and prosperity of the region," he said.
Pakistan Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said
Asif Ali Zardari, during his meetings with the Chinese
leadership, said the diruption in the Karakoram highway
recently due to landslide had demonstrated the need for
establishing a railway line and also a pipeline from Gwadar to
China to connect the two countries.
Zardari also said that Pakistan wants connectivity to
China through road link, oil pipeline and optic fibre and
would like China to take maximum benefits from the Gwadar
Port.
"We can jointly think about reaching upward in Asia
exploring those markets though Pakistan," he was quoted as
saying by APP.
According to reports in the past, Pakistan had awarded a
USD 1.2 million contract to an international consortium to
conduct a feasibility study for the 750-km rail line in 2007.
As per the past proposal, China would lay the track up to
Khujerab.
The proposed rail link is a matter of concern to India as
it passes through some of the disputed areas forming part of
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in New
Delhi that "we are closely watching what is happening".
Earlier, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju
said on the issue that it is definitely a matter of concern.
"But we are taking our counter measures and we are doing our
own preparation."
Asked to provide details of the proposed rail link, Qin
only said that China and Pakistan signed agreements for
economic cooperation, transportation, energy, etc after the
talks between President Hu Jintao and his visiting Pakistani
counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. (MORE) PTI KJV
MYR


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