Chinese President's visit to consolidate Pakistan ties: Li Zhaoxing
From Javed Akhtar of APP

BEIJING—Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Wednesday said that the forthcoming visit of President Hu Jintao to Pakistan will be another landmark in promoting their cooperative strategic partnership.
"We attach great importance to the visit and hope, it would bring fruitful results, further consolidating their cooperative relationship," he said while addressing Sino-Pak conference, that held here to commemorate the 55th anniversary of establishment of their diplomatic relations.
The conference was jointly arranged by China Institute for International Studies (CIIS) and Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI).
It was the continuation of the similar meeting held earlier this year in Islamabad. The opening session of the Conference was also addressed by Pakistan's Ambassador to China Salman Bashir and President of CIIS Ma Zhengang.
While lauding the rapid growth of Sino-Pak relations in the recent years, Li Zhaoxing said it was encouraging and heart-warming for the two countries to maintain their exchanges at the level of top leadership.
He told the conference that President Hu Jintao will pay a State visit to Pakistan by the end of this year. "This will be another landmark in the annals of friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries," he remarked.
Stating that the people of China are proud of their relationship with Pakistan, Li Zhaoxing said visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan last year further strengthened the bonds of friendship.
He said he had the honour and pleasure to accompany the Premier during his highly successful visit. During the visit, the Foreign Minister pointed out the two countries signed a friendship treaty, in which they passed on a strong message to the world that Pakistan and China will continue to have good neighbourly ties and strategist partnership.
The treaty has also set a direction for the future generation bringing their cooperative partnership to a new height. At the moment their cooperation was going on very well in various fields including politics, economic, science, technology and culture fields.
While referring to their shared perceptions and common position on various regional and international issues, Li Zhaoxing said the world situation was still complicated and was under-going profound changes. But, he said he had no doubt that the friendship between the two countries will withstand whatever changes that take place.
"We have full confidence of a brighter future and even more beautiful prospects of the two countries to further strengthen their relations in all fields. Lets us join hands to work even harder for a better future. And lets work together further promoting their strong ties of cooperation," he added.
Appreciating Pakistan's continuous support to his country, the Minister said Pakistan happened to be one of the first few countries, who recognized new China.
We will never forget it. Pakistan was on the forefront extending most valuable support to his country, after its independence.
Since then, the two countries have been extending strong support to each other in all fields of common interest, he added.
Over the years, the Minister said, the friendship between Pakistan and China have become a fine model of cooperation, and fine example of genuine friendship. "We are proud and happy to have friends and brothers in Pakistan."
Reciprocating the sentiments, Ambassador
Salman Bashir said both the countries and the succeeding generations have nurtured and enriched their friendship that is based on complete trust, mutual respect, close cooperation and coordination in all spheres. He noted that the two countries were making progress at all fronts.
Pakistan is looking forward to the visit of President Hu Jintao and hoped it would reinforce their strategic partnership. President Pervez Musharraf visited China twice this year, which helped to expand their bilateral cooperation on the broadest spectrum, he added.
The Conference was participated by senior former Pakistani's diplomats Inamul Haque, Akram Zaki, Fazalur Rehman, Ghayoor Ahmed,Afzal Akbar Khan, Rashid Ahmed, Anwer Kamal, Khalid Saleem and Sultan Hayat Khan, besides Dr. Shireen M Mazari, Director General ISSI.