Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Islamabad on Friday evening with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Hu and Aziz agreed to take efficient measures to push forward bilateral substantial cooperation in various fields.

Hu said the Chinese side will work with the Pakistani side to further bilateral traditional friendship and reciprocal cooperation.

Aziz said Hu's visit will help promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Hu said there are vast potentials and broad prospects for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The free trade agreement signed Friday is a major progress in bilateral economic and trade relations, and the Chinese side will continue to increase import from Pakistan and encourage more Chinese investment in Pakistan, noted Hu.

Meanwhile, China also welcomes Pakistani investment in China, said Hu.

Aziz said Pakistan will make efforts to provide Chinese investors with a sound environment.

They also agreed to explore strengthening of cooperation in service trade, investment, finance and information technologies.

Hu arrived here Thursday on a state visit as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's guest.

Pakistan is the last leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam, Laos and India.

Hu also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 17 to 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua