China praises Islamabad leg of Olympic Torch Relay

BEIJING—Lauding the successful and safe holding of torch relay in Islamabad , China said on Thursday said that it has fully exhibited the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China. Responding to a question on Olympic Torch relay held in Pakistan on Wednesday, the foreign office spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that as we have seen on television channels, the torch relay was successful and safe.
She pointed out that President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani attended the grand ceremony that was held for the Olympic Torch Relay. The activities were in good order and the atmosphere was warm and grand, she said.
These activities, she pointed out also exhibited the colourful and rich culture of Pakistan. The Foreign Office spokeswoman also lauded the enthusiasm shown by the people of Pakistan for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games. Jiang said that this kind of arrangements will provide fun and joy for the Asian people. We hope that the torch relay in Asian countries will be held successfully, she noted. Replying to another question, she said that free TV signals would be provided when the Olympic flame to climb Mount Qomolangma. Meanwhile, China has completed the improvement work on the 108-km highway to Mount Qomolangma with a cost of $ 21.5 million in readiness for the Olympic torch relay. The upgraded highway will facilitate torch bearers to send the Olympic flame to the top of the world—the highlight of the unprecedented worldwide relay.—Agencies