Pakistani PM leaves for China to attend ASEM summit

Source: Xinhua | 10-23-2008 17:10

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani left here on Thursday for Beijing to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

On the sidelines of the two-day ASEM summit, Gilani is expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese leaders as well as leaders of Asian and European countries.

Pakistan joined the ASEM in 2006 and will be attending this apex gathering for the first time.

Before his departure, Gilani told reporters that he would hold consultations with world leaders about the global economic situation and the ways to address the impact on developing countries like Pakistan, state media reported.

Gilani told Xinhua on Tuesday that he would also seek international support for Pakistan's war on terror at the ASEM summit.

"Certainly when there is one suicide bomb in my country, there is flight of capital. At the same time, because of one suicide attack, there is no investment in my country," Gilani said.

"We are fighting for the peace, prosperity and progress of the whole world. Therefore the world should understand we are fighting in the frontline, our friends should help us in this difficult time," he added.

Editor:Zhang Ning