China will continue to support Pakistan, promote relations: Prime minister

Chinese premiere appreciates Pakistan's role for bringing peace and stability in the region and the world.


Peer Muhammad May 23, 2013
File photo of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Chinese Premier Li KeQiang on Thursday said integrity‚ independence and sovereignty of Pakistan is very dear to China and his government would continue supporting Pakistan despite any change at the international level.

Addressing the Upper House of the Parliament in Islamabad‚ Li KeQiang appreciated Pakistan's role for bringing peace and stability not only in the region but also in the world.

A large number of diplomats, politicians, governor Khyber Pukhtunkhawa and governor Gilgit-Baltistan, caretaker chief minister Balochistan, chief minister Gilgit Balitsan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khurro and Speaker G-B Assembly Wazir Baig also attended the special senate session.

In his speech, the Chinese premier said that his country would continue to support Pakistan and promote bilateral relations in all fields in future.

“Pakistan is a great country and a time tested friend of China. The rooted relations between the two countries will be further strengthened in the time to come,” Li said.

“The development of China cannot be separated from the friendship with Pakistan,” he maintained

He emphasised on the need for expanding cooperation in various fields between the two countries and giving a boost to strategic, economic and trade ties.

“Pakistan and China should further enhance the strategic partnership and cooperation”, said the premier. He said that his country will help Pakistan for maintaining its sovereignty and defeating terrorism.

He said relations between the two countries have flourished regardless of any change at the international level and both the countries have similar views on almost all regional and international issues.

“Pakistan is an important player in Asian and international affairs which has always persuaded the policy of dialogue to resolve the issues,” he maintained.

“The hearts of both Pakistanis and Chinese people beats together and their destiny is also same,” he underlined.

He reiterated that the relations and friendship between the two countries is moving forward and being all weather friends we want to open new chapter of friendship and cooperation with Pakistan. “We are truly proud to be such a devoted friends from generation to generation”. He added that the countries have friendship based on the shared valued. “We are good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers,” he said.

“The people of China value and respect the hardworking and courageous Pakistani nation and they faced bravely various national disasters,” he maintained.

He hoped that the journey of socio-economic development in Pakistan will continue and China will fully support Pakistan to achieve the goal of socio-economic development.

The Chinese premier emphasised the need to take Sino-Pak relations on new heights keeping in view the rapidly growing changes at international level.

He underlined the need for adopting a positive approach for ensuring development of South Asia, saying that Pakistan has significant influence in the SAARC countries.

He mentioned that around 140 Chinese workers had lost their lives while constructing Karakoram Highway, adding that China is also ready to upgrade KKH to expand economic ties with Pakistan.

The Chinese prime minister mentioned that the growing cultural ties between the two countries and appreciated Pakistani students’ interest to learn the Chinese language.  The premier said that he would continue the efforts to promote Chinese language in Pakistan and will send 1000 teachers to teach its languages to Pakistani students. He said his country will also extend scholarships to Pakistani students for higher studies.

In his welcome address‚ Chairman Senate Nayyer Hussain Bukhari praised the People Republic of China for its for protection of Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity.

“Friendship with China is major cornerstone of our foreign policy,” he said.

The chairman senate urged upon the need for enhancing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries to bring their people closer together.

On behalf of the senators, senator Aitzaz Ahsan expressed gratitude to the Chinese prime minister for addressing the Senate and hoped his visit to Pakistan will give new impetus to the relations between the two countries.

In his vote of thanks‚ Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said the Pakistani nation‚ parliament and the government highly regarded the Pakistan-China friendship and said efforts must be made to safeguard it through increased cooperation on all levels.

COMMENTS (1)

Ali tanoli | 10 years ago | Reply

Long live china pakistan brothery friendship.

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ