Strong ties with China constitute bedrock of our foreign policy: Sartaj

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday said that China was the largest trading partner of Pakistan with $18 billion that reflected strong political links and growing economic ties between the two countries.
Speaking at Pakistan-China Joint Cultural Performance here, Sartaj said that "strong relations with China were, and are, and will always, remain the bedrock of Pakistan's foreign policy."
"The bond between Pakistan and China has received continuous nourishment from the leadership of both sides over the last six decades and especially in the past two years," he maintained.
The adviser appreciated the cultural performance to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. "I specially welcome my Chinese friends, particularly the artists from Hunan Provincial Performing Art Group, who have travelled all the way from China to participate in this event. It shows the love and close brotherly ties which exist between our two countries," he added.
Sartaj said that the 65th anniversary was not just a formal occasion as it was a unique celebration of a unique relationship, the like of which would be difficult to find in human history.
"Relations between countries experience high and low period, but not between China and Pakistan. Our relations are higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey, dearer than eyesight, stronger than steel, and valuable than gold," he added.
He said that CPEC was no doubt the latest landmark in our relations but our friendship had deep historical roots. "Monks and envoys traversed the challenging heights of the Karakorum, Hindukush and the Himalayas to connect the Gandhara and the Indus Valley Civilisations with the Chinese Civilisation," he added.
"Fa Xian and Xuan Zang, in the fourth and seventh centuries respectively, crossed inaccessible altitudes of these mountain ranges. Many scholars from the territory, that is now Pakistan, travelled to China to imbibe the glorious civilisation of China," he sad.
Sartaj said that the reason behind the long-lasting relations was absolute mutual trust. The people of our countries rejoiced on each other's achievements and felt as one during sorrows, he said, adding both countries firmly believed in the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference. "China has always extended solid support to Pakistan's territorial integrity and independence," he added.
He said that Pakistan too had upheld the one-China policy and supported China on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.