Pakistani PM holds talks with Chinese counterpart

16/10/2008 14:14:21

Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, has met with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao in Beijing, with the aim of increasing co-operation with China in the fight against terrorism.

The visit also comes as Islamabad's anti-terror alliance with Washington has become strained amid American impatience with Pakistani efforts to root out Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters, in its lawless border region.

Mr Zardari says China has long been one of Pakistan's closest political and economic partners, with Beijing looking to Islamabad as a counterbalance to India.

Pakistan's ambassador to China, Masood Khan, says an agreement on a civilian nuclear pact with China could be reached during the trip.

China's foreign ministry has confirmed the subject would be discussed but gave no specific details.

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