China and Pakistan had cooperated fruitfully in economic and trade fields, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi told Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is on an official visit to China.

During Chinese President Hu Jintao's trip to Pakistan in November last year, the two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA), which is projected to triple their current bilateral trade to 15 billion U.S. dollars within five years.

"Some of the agreed projects had been implemented, and key projects, including construction of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Area and rebuilding of the Karakorum Highway, first built in the 1970s, were progressing smoothly," Wu said.

Both countries would push forward trade and investment, Wu said, voicing the hope that Pakistan could create a favorable environment for Chinese companies operating there.

Aziz emphasized the importance of China as a cooperative partner, saying stronger cooperation in trade and economy would benefit both countries.

Pakistan would implement the free trade agreement and expand two-way trade and investment, Aziz said, encouraging more Chinese companies to operate in Pakistan.

"Our government will take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese engineers and technical workers in Pakistan," Aziz said.

Source: Xinhua