Breaking News-RTRS-Pakistan president Zardani asks china for urgent funds

(From THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)
By Shai Oster and Jason Leow In Beijing, and Matthew Rosenberg In New Delhi
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."
Pakistan is seeking $5 billion to $6 billion from donors. Government
officials are urgently trying to shore up dwindling foreign-exchange reserves --
now down to $8.32 billion -- and revive the ailing economy by boosting the
confidence of foreign investors. It sees China as a substantial source of this
capital.