Pakistan officially received the contract for the operation of Gawadar Deep Seaport to China in an impressive ceremony held in Islamabad on Monday .
An impressive signing ceremony was held at Presidency about was witnessed by President Asif Ali Zardari , Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian , Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar , some federal ministers , parliamentarians and senior government officials .
Spokesperson for the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said the ceremony marked the transfer of the concession agreement the Port of Singapore to the Port of China Overseas Holding .
President Asif Ali Zardari , while addressing this signing ceremony , said it is a promising development in Pak- China relations and for the people of Pakistan , especially Balochistan and will open an era of " new opportunities " .
The President said Gawadar soon be a center of trade and commerce in the region and is the key to bring the countries of Central Asia and provide a new impetus to Pak- China relations .
The President traced the history of development of Gawadar and as predicted by the PPP leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and created obstacles in their way.
President Zardari also stressed the strategic importance of the port of China and Central Asian Republics and its potential for integration of the economies of the countries of the region.
He said the Chinese provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet are closer to Pakistani ports , compared to ports in China , adding that the development of a commercial corridor linking Xinjiang in the Middle East through Gwadar port held " great promise " .
President Asif Ali Zardari said the Gwadar project had a very significant and strategic importance to China , adding that about 60 % of China's crude oil was imported from Gulf countries , would increase in the next decade.
He said that due to the proximity of the Gulf countries to Gwadar oil flow from the Gulf to China would be greatly facilitated by the operation of this port.
The President said that " the delivery of the operation of Gwadar port to China is the manifestation of our growing ties and also shows that Pakistan has confidence in China's ability to meet our infrastructure projects. "
He said the development of a commercial corridor linking Xinjiang in the Middle East through Gwadar port will improve commerce and trade not only between the two countries , but also in the region.
He said it is an auspicious day in relations between Pakistan and China and also an auspicious day for the people of Balochistan and Gawadar .
The Chairman said that the Gwadar port will take another step forward in Pak- China relations .
He said that during the PPP government to cum Mini Fish Harbor was built Gawadar port and Gawadar Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto visited December 14, 1989 to lay the foundation stone of Fish Harbor project .
He said that this became the cornerstone for Gawadar deep sea port .
He said Pakistan maintains very cordial and brotherly relations with China , adding that it has advanced dramatically in recent decades.
He said China has remarkable increase in the region , which is a testament to the wisdom of their leaders.
The President said that China is a source of inspiration for peoples of developing countries around the world .
Referring to Pak- China strong ties , the President said: " Our friendship has stood the test of time and is a relationship that is unparalleled . "
He said that the fundamentals of this relationship were laid by the visionary leaders of the era of the two countries and these leaders were Chairman Mao Zedong , Zhou Enlai and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He said that since then the friendship between Pakistan and China has been growing .
The President said Pak- China has been growing in strength and added that in recent years , " our two governments have injected new energy into our relationship. "
He said : "I have personally visited China nine times in the last four years, these visits have helped deepen strategic cooperation " .
The president said his frequent visits to China demonstrates the commitment of both countries to forge stronger ties .
" We are trying to expand our existing areas of cooperation and explore new avenues of fruitful collaboration ," he added .
The President said the handover of the operation of Gwadar port to China is a manifestation of growing relations adding that demonstrates confidence in China's ability to meet the infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
President Zardari said : " We also need to build the infrastructure around Gwadar port to promote trade and regional trade. "
The President also thanked the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghori , who could not attend the ceremony , efforts in finalizing preparations for the signing ceremony .
The President , however , praised Babar Ghori efforts to facilitate the transfer of port operations in China.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian speaking on the occasion said that the transfer of Gwadar port to China will bring tangible benefits to the two countries and contribute to peace , stability and development in the region.
He said Gwadar port is part of a larger framework of economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
Four agreements were signed on this occasion to hand over all operations of the Gwadar deep port of China Overseas Port Holding Company.
General Manager of China Overseas Port Holding Company signed the agreements on behalf of your company with Parvez Syed Abbas Gwadar Port Authority Chairman , AKD Chairman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi Securities , representatives of National Logistics Cell and the Port Authority of Singapore, which were the shareholders when the Gwadar port was handed over to the authority of Singapore.
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