"A Strong China Means A Strong Pakistan'

Friends,

  Pakistan is looking for financial aid from this cash heavy, awakening giant, China. An economic crisis in Pakistan could be disastrous to all.

Peace, Love and Hope,

Rev O

Zardari Asks China for Aid

Pakistan's president began a four-day state visit to China, seeking aid for his near-bankrupt nation.

Wall Street Journal

"Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari began a four-day state visit to China on Tuesday, seeking aid for his near-bankrupt nation from an increasingly powerful ally.

"China is the future of the world," Mr. Zardari, widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, told Chinese state news agency Xinhua on the eve of his trip. "A strong China means a strong Pakistan."

AFP/Getty

Pakistan President Zardari arrives in Beijing for a trip aimed at securing aid and building economic ties between the two countries.

Pakistan's economy was already in a critical state before the global financial crisis. Mr. Zardari is reaching out to China, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, among other so-called Friends of Pakistan, to make the case that the world has an interest in helping to stabilize the nuclear-armed nation, which has been shaken by Islamist militancy.

"Pakistan's ties with the U.S. remain fraught with tensions. Mr. Zardari has reached out to U.S. leaders, but in doing so has faced criticism at home, particularly because of repeated U.S. missile strikes inside Pakistani territory targeting Islamist militants near the Afghanistan border. An economic collapse would only further undermine the battle against Islamic militants, experts warn."