Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Monday said Pakistan and China are time-tested friends and their bilateral, close and friendly relations are exemplary. He was talking to a seven-member Chinese delegation at a luncheon reception hosted by him in their honour here at Senate secretariat. The delegation, led by Vice Chairman Foreign Relations Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro.
Senator Mushahid said Pakistan and China enjoy deep friendly relations and this friendship withstood the test of time for nearly half a century. He said the friendship and cooperation between the two countries had remained very strong over the decades and would cement further during the years ahead.
Mushahid, appreciating the economic development of China, said due to effective economic policies, China had successfully over-powered the poverty and improved the living standard of Chinese people.
Referring to the independent and principled foreign policy of China, Mushahid said it had provided encouragement to Pakistan and other members of the region as it was based on non-interference and mutual respect in accordance with the Untied Nations charter.
Senator Mushahid said due to strategic position and its policies, relations between China and Pakistan were based on very strong foundations.
Welcoming the delegation, Senator Mushahid said frequent exchange of high-level visits was hallmark of existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said the exchange of delegations, particularly, at the level of parliamentarians would further promote bilateral relations with particular reference to promoting Parliamentary Cooperation between the two countries.
Senator Mushahid also referred to the successful visits of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chairman Jia Qinglin to Pakistan and Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro's visits to China, last year.
He also appreciated the cooperation and assistance of China in the economic development of Pakistan and, particularly, referred to China's assistance in building the Gwadar deep seaport, Thar Coal, Saindak Copper and Gold Mine project and Chashma-II projects.
The leader of the Chinese delegation Zhou Keren thanked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and other members of the Committee to provide a chance to meet them and exchange views on various issues.
He also thanked for extending warm hospitality to his delegation.
Zhou said China considered Pakistan as a close and all-weather friend and both the nations enjoy traditional friendship.
He said Pakistan had played vital role in the progress and prosperity of China and added the Chinese government would continue its cooperation and assistance to Pakistan. The leader of the delegation said Pakistan had supported China on a number of issues of its national interest and extended cooperation at all world forums.
He said both countries had been co-operating with each other at international level and have commonality of views on various international issues and added, "China would like to further develop all-round friendship with Pakistan."
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Zhang Chunxiang and Senate of Pakistan Secretary Shafiq A Khan were also present during the meeting.
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee including Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, Latif Khosa, Mehtab Abbasi, Nisar Memon, Gulshan Saeed, S M Zafar and Professor Khurshid Ahmed were also present in the meeting.