BEIJING - China and Pakistan held a reception in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing Thursday evening to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"The relations have withstood the test of time and international situation changes in the 60 years. The two sides have witnessed an increasing political mutual trust, growing substantial cooperation and ever-increasing friendship," said China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the guesthouse prior to the reception.
"The China-Pakistan relationship has become a model of friendship between countries with different cultures and social systems," Jia said.
Gilani said he is glad to visit China at such an important moment.
Addressing the reception, Gilani said the reception is a moment to celebrate the two countries' common achievements and sincere friendship. It is a moment to inject new dynamism into their all-weather friendship and strategic partnership of cooperation, and to promote it to a new high.
China is indeed Pakistan' s real and most reliable friend and partner, Gilani said. The friendship with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan' s foreign policy. Their friendship and strategic partnership is also an indispensable element to ensure regional and global peace and security, he added.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan was grateful for China' s long-term support and assistance for its social and economic development, as well as China' s positive evaluation towards Pakistan' s anti-terrorism efforts.
When addressing the reception, Jia added that China always treats its relationship with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term point of view, and considers their friendly cooperation as a priority of China' s foreign policy.
"The resolution and will of the Chinese government and people for developing the friendship with Pakistan will never waver, no matter how the international situation changes," he said.
Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Political Bureau, pledged that China will join hands with the Pakistani side to take the 60th anniversary as an opportunity to deepen the traditional friendship, enhance cooperation in all areas, and promote bilateral relations to a new high.
Gilani echoed that, saying the Pakistani side would also take this opportunity and work together with the Chinese to promote their all-weather friendship and strategic cooperation.
In the pre-reception meeting with Gilani, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also hailed the cooperation between the CPPCC and Pakistani parliament.
"All political parties in the Pakistani parliament share the consensus on the development of bilateral relations . They are steady promoters for the strategic ties. China appreciates that," he said.
Jia added that the CPPCC would continue to contribute to the consolidation of the China-Pakistan friendship.
The reception was held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Pakistani embassy to China. All together, 500 people, including representatives from the Chinese government, Gilani' s entourage, and people from all walks of life from the two countries attended the reception. Xinhua
