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Musharraf strengthens China alliance
December 21, 2001 Posted: 4:37 PM HKT (0837 GMT)
China has asked Pakistan to use diplomacy to ease tensions with India
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BEIJING, China -- The simmering tension between India and Pakistan took a backseat as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf continued to meet top Chinese military and political leaders during a five-day visit to China.
The visit marks 50-years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, and Musharraf's warm reception has emphasized the ongoing strength of that alliance.
Musharraf's visit is aimed at bolstering economic and military ties with China and to discuss a new strategic equation in Central Asia following the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
A number of technical and economic deals have been signed as China extended further economic assistance to its old ally.
After meeting with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on Friday, Musharraf was praised over his handling and role in the situation in Afghanistan.
"Quite frankly speaking, I am worried about you almost every day," Zhu told Musharraf. "But I should say I have been happy for you every day."
Rising tensions
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Relations between India and Pakistan are also expected to feature highly on the agenda of talks behind closed doors following the suicide attack on Indian parliament last week.
As Musharraf arrived in Beijing, China called on India and Pakistan to resolve through diplomacy the uneasy relationship between the two nuclear neighbors.
But Musharraf would not comment publicly on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan
There have been reports and denials of troop build-ups on both sides of the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.
India has blamed the attack on two Pakistani-based militant groups which it says have ties and support from Islamabad.
Pakistan has offered to be part of a joint probe into the attacks of links with the suicide raid and has called on Islamabad to cut of funds and support for several Pakistan-based militant groups and to arrest their leaders.
China shares a slice of Kashmir and has shown it is uneasy over the sudden U.S. military build-up on its western flank in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian republics - regions Beijing regards as key to its security.
New responsibilities
The visit comes amid increasing tensions along the border between India and Pakistan
Trying to balance old allies with new responsibilities, Musharraf said on Thursday he still views China as "our trusted friend" even as Islamabad develops closer ties with Washington.
Already the Pakistani leader has wasted no time in saying that Sino-Pakistani relations are strong despite Islamabad's commitment to the war on terrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks on America.
China has long been a source of economic aid to Pakistan as well as a key military ally.
Several Western intelligence agencies believe Pakistan's nuclear weapons were built using Chinese supplied technology and know-how.
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