Full text of premier's interview with Pakistani media (2)

Today, China-Pakistan relations have acquired a new dimension of the times. The establishment and deepening of China-Pakistan comprehensive strategic cooperation meets the common interests of both our peoples and enhances stability and development in our region. I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate to the Pakistani people and the international community that the new Chinese government will continue to pursue a policy of friendship with Pakistan. We will work together with Pakistan to uphold and grow China-Pakistan relations and take more pragmatic steps to bring more benefits to our two peoples. China and Pakistan should remain good, trustworthy partners and good, sincere and reliable brothers.

During this visit, the two countries will issue a joint statement on deepening China-Pakistan comprehensive strategic cooperation. It will map out a grand blueprint for the pursuit of common development by both countries. We are confident that this will instill new impetus into China-Pakistan cooperation and enable China-Pakistan relations to make greater strides forward from a new starting point.

3. In recent years, China-Pakistan political ties have become increasingly close. But their economic relations have not grown fast enough. To strengthen business ties with China has become an important concern of Pakistan. Will you bring any new initiatives to boost our business ties during this visit?

Li: Political and economic relations are like the two wheels of a bicycle, which are mutually reinforcing. The political bond between China and Pakistan is unbreakable and our business ties as a whole have maintained growth momentum. Pakistan is the first South Asian country to sign a free trade agreement and currency swap agreement with China, and it is the largest destination of Chinese investment in South Asia. China is Pakistan's second largest trading partner and fourth largest export market. Steady progress has been made in our cooperation in energy, infrastructure, telecommunications and financial sectors.