China Pakistan’s strategic, time tested friend: PM

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday expressed the confidence that formation of democratic governments at the federal and provincial levels will help establish the desired conducive environment in Pakistan to attract more Chinese investment in Pakistan.He was talking to a three-member Chinese delegation led by Liu Hongcai, Vice Minister of the International Department of Chinese Communist Party, which met him here in his chamber at the Parliament House this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that “China is our strategic partner and all weather, time tested friend.” Pakistan, he said, enjoys a strategic relationship with China based on mutual trust, cooperation and understanding of each other’s positions on regional and global issues.
He further said that Pakistan accords high priority to its close relationship with China and is keen to expand it in all spheres of life.
The Prime Minister said that exchange of parliamentary delegations and the parliamentary groups of friendship in the two countries can perform a very useful role in further strengthening the relations between the two friendly countries.
The Parliamentary Committees, he added could also help in exploring the possibilities to enhance cooperation in specific areas with friendly countries like China.
The Prime Minister conveyed his regards and good wishes to the President, the Prime Minister of China and the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
The leader of the Chinese delegation congratulated the Prime Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister of China on assuming the responsibilities as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
He said that the unanimous vote of confidence gained by the Prime Minister in the National Assembly is a sign of trust of the entire house on his leadership.
Liu Hongcai further said that Pakistan is a reliable and good neighbour and China considers it as a strategic partner.
The close relations with Pakistan, he said, is the corner stone of Chinese foreign policy.
He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani the relations between the two countries will further expand in all the fields.
The Chinese Vice Minister further said that the friendship between China and Pakistan is a result of the efforts of our leaders and the people spreading over last many decades.
“It is now heartening to note that our relations have gained strength at the government, parliamentary and above all at the people level”, he added.
The leader of the Chinese delegation further said that, he had met the leaders of all the political parties in Pakistan and was pleased to learn that all are favourably inclined to further developing relations with China.
The political parties, he added also want to promote relations with the Communist Party of China which is a healthy sign and exchange of delegations of political parties will further help bring the two countries close to each other.