ISLAMABAD- President Asif Ali Zardari would be carrying a heavy agenda of development cooperation for his forthcoming visit to China anticipating a whole range of Chinese bilateral assistance from grants to foreign direct investments. According to sources, President Zardari, officially visiting China from Feb 20 to 23, has directed the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and other relevant state outfits to prepare intensive agenda of prospective bilateral cooperation with China. Of late China has provided Pakistan with $500 million budgetary support as well. Now Pakistan's President is heading to China, reportedly via Afghanistan, in furtherance of materializing agreements and pacts singed during his last Beijing visit, the sources said. According to the sources, the EAD has been preparing summary proposals on various energy projects offering joint ventures, and also independent direct investment opportunities. Mentioning a few would include Thar Coal Development Project, making coal the base for power generation on the spot of coalmines. Thar project would also have a major component of coal development in terms of its gasification as well as producing carved coal bricks. Other than coal, the Chinese firms would be invited for exploration of the hydrocarbons, their refining, and marketing. The government has also been preparing to offer sizeable stake in the state entities to Chinese investors through the new privatization policy of public-private partnership. The sources were of the view that giving final shape to the privatization mode was in line with the President's upcoming China visit. The sources were of the view that the Chinese investors were interested in buying stakes through public-private partnership (PPP) formula as against the strategic sales along management controls. Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar confirmed that the EAD has been working on proposals of bilateral cooperation with China specifically ahead of President's visit. "It would, for sure, be an intensive cooperation agenda since we are having a longstanding bilateral relationship with the neighbouring as well as friendly country," she added.