By Muhammad Naeem Chaudhry/ Masood Sattar

 BEIJING, Oct 16 (APP) - Chinese print and electronic media gave wide publicity and projection to President Asif Ali Zardari’s first  4-day state visit to China highlighting strength and warmth of time-tested bilateral partnership. The English newspaper of mass circulation “China Daily” in its Today’s edition carried front page story with banner headline “Visit cements all-weather partnership” stating that interactions of President Hu Jintao and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari lent impetus to the historic friendship between the two countries.

“The only way I could do justice to the memory of my late wife and my late father-in-law was to make sure that my first state visit as President was to China “, the paper quoted President Zardari as saying in its 5-column report published on summit- meeting held at the Great Hall of the People.

“Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto made prominent contributions to the initiation and development of China-Pakistan relationship, which the Chinese people will never forget”, added President Zardari.

Eleven pacts were inked after talks between the two presidents, the Paper stated adding among them, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a space industry service provider, was contracted to launch a telecommunications satellite for Pakistan in the first half of 2011 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

With regard to the landmark welcome ceremony, held for Pakistani President, the Paper said, Mr Zardari received a red-carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute at the Great Hall of the People before his one-on-one meeting.

Quoting an interview of President Zardari to Xinhua news agency before embarking on his first state visit to China, the Paper said that Pakistani President expected to prioritize economic ties with China during his visit.

The newspaper also published President Zardari’s speech at a business forum he addressed on Thursday, stating that an economic zone would be set up to facilitate Chinese investors in Pakistan.

Bilateral trade was more than $7 billion last year; and the two sides have set a target of $ 15 billion annually by 2011, the paper said while referring to President address at the Business Forum.

The paper also carried a 5-column pictorial display in which President Hu was escorting his Pakistani counterpart for the inspection of guard of honour.

The most influential Chinese language newspaper “Peoples Daily” in its front page news captioned “President Hu Jintao meets Pakistani President Zardari-the two head of states reach consensus on further cementing the all weather Pak-China Friendship enhance all round cooperation, bring China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership to new height.”

The CPC organ newspaper also mentioned in its 3-column news report on the significance of President Zardari’s first state visit to China .

The paper also mentioned Chinese President as saying that after  establishment of diplomatic ties 57-years ago, the Sino-Pak relations stood firmly and developed steadily  despite many ups and downs on regional and international scenario.

It also published 3-column photo of President Zardari and President Hu inspecting the Guard of Honour held at the Great Hall of the People yesterday.

A large number of other Chinese language newspapers also gave conspicuous display to President Zardari’s visit to China.

The Chinese electronic media including CCTV, BTV and other networks equally accorded prominence to President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China . They all aired with distinction President Zardari’s first official visit to China in its main bulletins.

Meanwhile, the CCTV and Peoples Daily also interviewed President Asif Ali Zardari today.