Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan [Li Shen/China.org.cn]

Pakistan's Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said Friday the country will continue close intelligence sharing and collaboration with China to counter terrorism activities in their connected regions.

Awan met with the media in the Pakistani embassy in Beijing after returning from Urumqi, where she joined Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and four other ministers at the new China-Eurasia Expo.

"(The terrorism organizations) keep on changing their strategies and actions," Awan said. "So we must work in close collaboration and also change our actions, and that can only be done through close coordination and mutual understanding."

China had tightened security ahead of the expo and – according to a top official of Urumqi, Zhu Hailun – police had thwarted several attempts by separatists and religious extremists to sabotage the fair.

Still, Awan said she enjoyed the reception at Urumqi and was glad for the cordial feelings locals had towards Pakistan. At the expo, she held meaningful exchanges with China and other attending leaders. As Pakistan's top press official, Awan held exchanges on the ways "media can be one of the marketing tools to promote bilateral economic ties and create investment opportunities."

In addition, the minister said Pakistan is working out an agreement with China to exchange TV programs between CCTV and Pakistani networks, which will include dramas, art movies and youth programs.