Pakistan great source of strength for China: Hu
By Makhdoom Babar

ISLAMABAD—Chinese President Hu Jintao has said that China regards Pakistani nation as its strength and strategic partnership between the two countries would be further extended in the future and the friendship and development between the two countries should not be viewed as a threat to the region.
Addressing the Pakistani nation on Friday at the Convention center the Chinese president said that Pakistan and China friendship is time tested and more greater than the height of Himalayas and sweeter than honey. He said that this is his second trip to Pakistan and he has come to Pakistan bringing best wishes for the Pakistani nation from the 1.3 billion Chinese nation.
He said that the world has changed much but friend ship between Pakistan and China progressed with passing year in the positive direction. We regard the Pakistani nation as our strength. Hu said that Pakistan has progressed a lot in all fields since the past 50 years despite facing many external and internal challenges which is laudable. He said today Pakistan plays a pivotal role n establishing peace and stability not only in the region but also in the world. He said that Pakistan has gained its own standing amongst the comity of nations. Hu said that we are happy and proud of Pakistan’s achievements in all walk of life and our best wishes are with the Pakistani nation. He said that friendship between Pakistan and China would be strengthened and expanded in the future.
He said that Pakistan was the first country to accept China and we enjoy a relation ship based on trust and harmony. He said that Pakistan had always helped China in its time of need and played a role of a bridge in improvement of China-US relations as well as supporting us on the Taiwan issue. Chinese President said Chinese people and government will always stand beside Pakistan for protection of its sovereignty and socio-economic development. History bears testimony that Sino-Pak relations have always remained exemplary and time tested. The mega projects like Gwadar port, Korakoram high way and Chashma Nuclear power plants are the examples of our excellent friendship. “ We will continue to play our role in the development of Pakistan.
He went on to say that Chinese government and its people have unwavering trust on Pakistan. We want to consolidate our strategic partnership in all spheres. “ We should strengthen our strategic interaction and traditional friendship and work together to combat the challenges”, he stressed. “ We inked accords of bilateral cooperation in 2003 and later signed more agreements. These will go to added to our strategic partnership”, he hoped. China attaches much importance to its strategic and long term relations and the consultation process goes on between the two countries on all major issues, he added. We are expanding cooperation in the fields of defence, security and technical areas.