Q. Would you like to comment on your first-ever forthcoming visit to Pakistan? What will be the agenda of your talks with the Pakistani side?

A. Pakistan is China's traditional friendly neighbor and important strategic partner. The upcoming visit will be my first visit to Pakistan as China's foreign minister. It is a part of the friendly exchanges between China and Pakistan since the new governments of the two countries took office.

During the visit, I will have meetings with President Musharraf and Prime Minister Gillani, hold talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi and meet with leaders of Pakistan's major political parties. We will exchange views on how to strengthen the China-Pakistan strategic partnership and promote the friendly cooperation between the two countries in various areas. I hope my visit will further deepen the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan.

Q. How do you see the impact of President Pervez Musharraf's recent visit to China on further cementing Sino-Pak strategic partnership?

A. At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Pervez Musharraf paid a state visit to China and attended the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia in mid April. During his visit, President Musharraf held meetings and talks with President Hu Jintao, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committe of the National People's Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference respectively. The two sides exchanged views and reached broad agreement on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues. The two sides agreed to further increase exchanges between the governments, parliaments, political parties, militaries and peoples of the two countries, and continue to expand their mutually beneficial cooperation in economic and trade, energy, education and other fields. The visit added new dimensions to China-Pakistan cooperation and deepened the strategic partnership between the two countries. China applauds the results of the visit.

Q. Would you like to comment on Pakistan's strong support to China on the question of Tibet, and making the upcoming Beijing Olympic successful?

A. Over the years, Pakistan has given firm support to China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other issues that are crucial to China's core interests. China deeply appreciates Pakistan's support.

The Olympic torch relay that took place just a few days ago in Islamabad was a great success. The Government of Pakistan attached great importance to the torch relay and worked very hard to ensure its success. People from all sectors in Pakistan were actively involved in the event. President Musharraf and Prime Minister Gillani jointly presided over the torch relay ceremony. This event has not only promoted the Olympic spirit, but also shown to the world the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan. I am convinced that with the support of Pakistan and the entire international community, the Beijing Olympic Games will be a crowning success.

Q. Pakistan-China, while enjoying excellent diplomatic ties, lag behind in development of their economic partnership. Do you see some prospects from the Chinese side to develop the economic ties, meeting the common aspirations of their people?

A. China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbors. We are also partners for mutually beneficial economic cooperation. China greatly values its business cooperation with Pakistan. In recent years, continuous progress has been made in business and investment cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan is the first country in South Asia that signed a free trade agreement with China. The Haier-Ruba industrial park, the first such joint project between China and a foreign country, is operating smoothly. The China-Pakistan Joint Investment Company, China's first overseas financial cooperation institution, has also started operation. I believe that with our joint efforts, the goal of increasing our trade volume to over US$15 billion will be achieved and our business ties will continue to forge ahead.

Q. How do you comment on Pakistan's concerted efforts to combat terrorism, promoting peace and development in South Asia?

A. Pakistan is an important country in South Asia. Standing at the forefront of international counter-terrorism efforts, Pakistan has made tremendous efforts in recent years to promote international counter-terrorism cooperation. It has also played a major and constructive role in advancing the peace process between Pakistan and India and promoting regional cooperation in South Asia, thus making positive contribution to peace and development in the sub-region. China highly appreciates all the efforts Pakistan has made.

Q. How do you see Pakistan's prospects becoming permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and China's role in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) as an observer?

A. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) follows the principle of consensus in decision-making. The admission of new members needs to be discussed and decided by all SCO memebers. Since Pakistan became an observer of the SCO, it has actively participated in the activities in all fields within the SCO framework. China appreciates your efforts. As an all-weather friend of Pakistan, we welcome Pakistan's desire to play a bigger role in the SCO.

Since China became an observer of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC), cooperation between the two sides has been carried out smoothly. As a friendly neighbor of South Asian countries, China is ready to have dialogue and practical cooperation with SAARC on the basis of respect for the aspirations of SAARC members, equality, mutual trust and cooperation for win-win results, and play a constructive role in promoting SAARC cooperation.