Pakistan, China to Make Common Efforts for International Peace, Prosperity: Gilani

ISLAMABAD, Sep 28 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said China and Pakistan would continue common endeavours for building a better future for its people and for promotion of international peace, stability and prosperity.Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of China Cultural Week arranged by Chinese Embassy here on Monday, he said, “Pakistan greatly values its friendship with China. We are committed to promoting and deepening our fraternal ties, including in the area of culture and people-to-people contacts.”
The Prime Minister said the friendship between China and Pakistan is unique and multi-dimensional and it spans a vast spectrum of political, strategic, defence, cultural, economic and trade areas.
“We have untiringly and steadfastly built this ideal relationship over the span of past five decades. Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En Lai together with late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto laid the foundations of our all weather friendship, which was further cemented by Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.”
In addition to the strong bilateral relations, Pakistan and China have a common worldview on a host of issues, ranging from Taiwan to Tibet to human rights to a fair and just global order, he said adding, “Our friendship is based on complete trust, mutual understanding and shared aspirations for peace and progress.”
“China is a factor of stability in the region,” he said.
He mentioned that the Chinese civilization has contributed enormously to the global culture through its ingenuity, richness, sagacity and diversity.
The wisdom of the Chinese people is reflected in the sayings of the great sage Confucius, he observed.
Throughout China, he said, one can see the intricate craftsmanship of Chinese artisans in the jade carvings, lacquer ware, terracotta pottery, the beautiful architecture of the Forbidden City, the engineering marvel of the Great Wall and the magnificence of Chinese opera.
The Prime Minister inaugurated a photographic exhibition on 60 years of Pak-China Relations and on Chinese customs.
The exhibitions are being held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Prime Minister watched a cultural show of Chinese artists and acrobats.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui said they are looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Gilani to China next month.
He called relations between Pakistan and China as all weather and higher than Himalayas, deeper than Arabian sea and sweeter than honey.
People of China achieved prosperity for themselves through their hard work and contributed to the stability of the region and the world, he added.
The Ambassador said Pakistan is a brotherly country which extended unconditional support to China on various issues.