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Sharief seeks 'just and final' Kashmir settlement

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief began talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji, centring on the Kashmir conflict with India.

Tomorrow he is due to meet President Jiang Zemin and People's Congress leader Li Peng.

Chinese leaders have several times called on both warring parties in Kashmir to remain calm and solve the problem peacefully through negotiations.

The Pakistani prime minister plans to brief the Chinese leaders on the latest developments in Kashmir and to urge for a ''just and final'' settlement on the issue.

In a statement issued in Islamabad late last night before his departure, Sharief thanked China for helping Pakistan over the years. ''Pak-China relationship is based on the principles of peaceful co-existence. We share similar views on major regional and international issues,'' the statement said.

''As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century, we are determined to join hands with our Chinese friends, and see the partnership between our countries reach new heights,'' Sharief said.

The two sides are expected to sign a number of agreements during the prime minister's visit including the development of the Super-7 aircraft, co-operation between radio and television and establish a business council.

Sharief is on his third visit to China but the first since both Pakistan and India carried out nuclear tests in May 1998. He is also due to visit the southern cities of Kunming and Hong Kong.

UNI

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