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Pakistan, China determined to further strengthen strategic partnership: President


Source : APP   Date : October 01, 2013   

Pakistan, China determined to further strengthen strategic partnership: President

ISLAMABAD, Sep 30 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said Pakistan and China were determined to further strengthen their all-weather and multifaceted friendship, that has always stood the test of time. “Our friendship is rooted in a shared history and cultural heritage. Our brotherly and fraternal ties have grown from strength to strength every year”, the President said while speaking at a ceremony held here at the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was attended among others by Federal Ministers, Members of the Parliament, diplomats, senior civil and military officers and media-persons.

The President said that the newly elected leaderships in both the countries were determined to take this strategic relationship further in the coming years.

“We are committed to forging stronger ties so that the extraordinary narrative of our friendship is transmitted to our next generations”, he remarked.

The President said the highly successful visits of Premier Li Keqiang to Pakistan in May and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to China in July this year have further cemented this relationship.

He said Pakistan looks forward to early progress on Pakistan-China Economic Corridor and building on existing cooperation in areas of mutual interest and by exploring new avenues for fruitful collaboration.

“Pakistan and China remain committed, as ever, to work together to fashion a better, more prosperous future for our children, and to ensure that they inherit a more peaceful and harmonious world”, the President maintained.

Mamnoon said China’s extraordinary rise over the past 64 years bears testimony to the wisdom of its leadership and the genius of its people.

“China has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for the peoples of developing countries around the globe”, he said, adding, Pakistan rejoices in China’s phenomenal success and supports its efforts for the promotion of peace and harmony in the region and the world.

The President extended felicitations to Chinese Ambassador, the officials of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad as well as to the government and people of China on the auspicious occasion of their country’s founding day.

The President also availed the opportunity to ask Ambassador Sun Weidong to convey his best wishes for President Xi Jinping’s good health and happiness; and for the continued progress and prosperity of the Chinese people.Ambassador Sun Weidong of China in his welcome remarks at the reception said China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbors, and all-weather strategic partners.

The two peoples are not only friends, but also brothers, he said, adding, “China-Pakistan friendship is deeply rooted in our hearts, and has become a noble belief with the passing of time.”

Ambassador Sun referred to the recent strong earthquakes in Balochistan, in which Pakistan suffered heavy casualties and property losses, and said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang immediately expressed condolences to Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif respectively.

He said the Chinese people have always stood together with the people of Pakistan in time of need, adding, they speak from the bottom of their heart that, “iron brother, keep it up!”.

Ambassador Sun said the emergency relief supplies provided by the Chinese government have arrived in Karachi, and the Red Cross Society of China has provided financial assistance to the Pakistani side, adding, the staff members of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan donated voluntarily for the people in quake-hit area of Pakistan.

“We are convinced that under the leadership of the Pakistani Government, the brave Pakistani people will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes, and achieve lasting stability and economical development.”

He said China and Pakistan have a tradition of mutual support and help, adding, the Chinese people will never forget that Pakistan has always stepped forward and given its precious support to China when it met difficulties.

Ambassador Sun mentioned an old Chinese saying that goes, “Friendship between chess playmates lasts less than a day.  Friendship between diners lasts less than a month. Friendship based on power and influence lasts less than a year. Only friendship based on shared values lasts a lifetime.”

He said China-Pakistan friendship based on shared values, adding, it will not only last a lifetime, but also endure from generation to generation and last forever.

The Ambassador said China-Pakistan relationship is an example of state-to-state relations, adding, this year, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have exchanged visits successfully within six weeks, reached a series of important consensus.

Currently, the two sides are actively implementing these important consensuses, and jointly planning and constructing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he added.

Ambassador Sun said the two sides attach more attention to the pivot projects of the transportation infrastructure, the energy and economic zones along the corridor, which will combine China’s “Western Development” strategy and “Opening up to the West” policy together with Pakistan’s blueprint for national development, and benefit the peoples of our two countries and the region.

The two sides will enhance the friendly exchanges in various fields and learn from each other, he said, adding, the two sides will strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of region and world.

Ambassador Sun recalled that the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai paid his first visit to Pakistan in December 1956 and during that visit, he said, “The people of China and Pakistan must live together in friendship, which shall grow with each passing day.”

“We are glad to see that, his predictions have come true after half a century. We believe that, with the joint efforts of both sides, our friendship and cooperation will have an even brighter future. Let’s work hand-in-hand to push forward China-Pakistan Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new high”, he maintained.

Later President Mamnoon Hussain along with Ambassador Sun Weidong and other dignitaries cut the special cake to mark the Chinese founding day event.

Source: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=242554&Itemid=1