International

China lauds Musharraf's "policy of restraint"

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD MAY 15. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Tan Jiaxuan, today appreciated the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's "policy of restraint and constructive engagement in the face of India's refusal to deescalate and resume dialogue" with Pakistan.

The Minister, who is here on a two-day visit as head of an eight-member delegation, called on Gen. Musharraf and exchanged views on a wide range of issues including the situation in the region.

A statement by the Pakistan Foreign Office said the Chinese Minister assured Gen. Musharraf of his country's continued support. "He appreciated the President's policy of restraint and constructive engagement in the face of India's refusal to deescalate and resume the dialogue with Pakistan. There was complete identity of views on the urgent need for political stability and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan''.

In the course of his meeting with Gen. Musharraf, Mr. Tan reiterated the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin's felicitations to the Pakistani ruler on the outcome of the referendum of April 30. President Jiang had also expressed the hope that under President Musharraf's leadership, Pakistan would maintain social stability and economic progress, and that relations between the two countries would be further strengthened.

The Chinese Minister's visit and the nature of discussions with the Musharraf regime are being keenly watched in diplomatic circles, particularly in view of reports of a "rift" between the U.S. and Pakistan on the approach towards tackling the problem of infiltration of the Al-Queda and Taliban activists from Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, at the meeting between the Chinese delegation and the Pakistani delegation led by the Foreign Minister, Abdul Sattar, both sides agreed to consult each other regularly on counter-terrorism and arms control.

``The two sides reiterated their shared resolve to expand and strengthen further the close and cooperative Pakistan-China relations,'' the statement said.

"It was also agreed to institutionalise consultations between the foreign ministries...in the areas of counter-terrorism and arms control.

These consultations will be held regularly at the level of senior officials.''

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