On 18 October 2004, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, who was paying an official goodwill visit to Islamabad.

Mr. Tang Jiaxuan conveyed a verbal message from Chinese President Hu Jintao to President Musharraf, regarding the kidnapping of Chinese engineers in Pakistan. The verbal message went as follows: the Chinese side values the cooperation and friendship with the Pakistani side and we also value life and safety of every Chinese citizen. It is our hope that Pakistan will take more effective measures to guarantee the security of Chinese workers in Pakistan. China is ready to step up anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan and jointly ward off and fight against terrorism.

President Musharraf appreciated the message from President Hu Jintao. He also expressed his deep grief and sorrow concerning the death of Wang Peng, an engineer form Sinohydro Corporation, who was killed in the kidnapping incident. He asked Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to convey his profound condolences to the Chinese Government and people. He spoke highly of the significant contribution made by Chinese corporation and workers to the economic development in Pakistan. And he vowed to adopt every measure possible to protect Chinese workers in Pakistan and prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents.

Councilor Tang stressed that, the Chinese Government has all along viewed China-Pakistan relationship from a strategic plane and attached importance to the cooperation between the two countries. China is willing to work with Pakistan to surmount difficulties and challenges, consolidate traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, with a view to better serving the common need of the two nations to seek peace and development.

President Musharraf expressed his satisfaction with bilateral relations and cooperation in international and regional affairs. He said that the core of Pakistan's foreign policy is to develop the friendship and cooperation with China. He also said that the Pakistani side would continue to have close political exchange, expand economic cooperation and trade and strengthen cooperation with China in affairs both internationally and regionally.

President Musharraf briefed Councilor Tang about the situation in South Asia. He hoped that efforts should be made to promote regional cooperation in South Asia by taking advantage of West Development in China and relaxed situation in this region. Councilor Tang said that it is the common goal of countries in South Asia to develop economy. The Chinese side supports the initiatives and endeavors by parties concerned to build up confidence, conduct comprehensive dialogue and promote peace and development in South Asia.

During his visit, Councilor Tang also met with Pakistani Prime Minister Aziz and Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on intensifying cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues such as the situation in South Asia. Both sides agreed that high level mutual visits as well as exchanges on various levels should be maintained, cultural, educational and youth exchanges should be promoted and focus should be placed on mutually beneficial economic cooperation, exploring the possibility of setting up FTA between China and Pakistan. Efforts should also be made to implement on-going key projects and advance new project, constantly improve and take full advantage of existing bilateral mechanisms to strengthen anti-terror cooperation and maintain coordination and cooperation in both international and regional affairs.

Councilor Tang arrived in Islamabad and started his official goodwill visit to Pakistan on the afternoon of 17 October 2004. he left Pakistan for an official goodwill visit to India on the afternoon of 18 October 2004.