BEIJING: Premier Wen Jiabao has vowed to support closer military exchanges between Pakistan and China.
During
his meeting with Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on
Thursday, he said, "China will consistently support Pakistan’s efforts
to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as back
the country’s economic growth and improvement of its people’s
livelihoods.
Wen expressed his belief that the government, armed
forces and people of Pakistan will work together to overcome the
challenges facing them and achieve more rapid development.
In
the face of complicated regional and global situations, cementing
coordination between China and Pakistan and jointly meeting challenges
meets the common interests of both nations, Wen added.
The
premier said Pakistani armed forces have made important contributions
toward maintaining bilateral relations and boosting the China-Pakistan
strategic cooperative partnership.
He pledged to support stronger military exchanges and cooperation between both countries.
Kayani,
who is currently on a six-day visit to China, expressed gratitude for
China’s efforts to aid Pakistan’s economic growth and social stability,
as well as China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts to maintain its
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Developing the
China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership is a cornerstone of the
foreign strategies of both countries, Kayani said.
Pakistani
armed forces will unswervingly boost cooperation with China and firmly
support China’s efforts to maintain its core interests, he said. Online
