Pakistan has been given the green-light from the Chinese government to open the consulate office in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, an official said Monday.

 

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited Sichuan in February and expressed his hope to further develop economic exchanges with the province, said Cui Zhiwei, director of the foreign affairs office of the province.

 

Pakistan and Sichuan have cooperated on thermal and hydro power, environmental protection, locomotives and others ventures, according to the official.

 

Pakistan will be the seventh country to open a consulate in Chengdu after the US, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, France and Singapore.

 

China and Pakistan signed a wide-ranging joint statement on Saturday in Islamabad on bilateral relations during President Hu Jintao's state visit to the country.

 

Pakistan was the last leg of Hu's four-nation Asia tour, which took him to Vietnam, Laos and India. Hu left Lahore, Pakistan on Sunday for home.

 

The visit also coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2006)