President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pak-China friendship is higher than mountains and deeper than oceans as people of both countries stand shoulder to shoulder through every trial. Speaking at a banquet hosted for the visiting Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jaibao, he said: "We all are proud of the friendship with China, and it is in the heart of every individual, no matter what government comes or goes."
The president described the Chinese premier and the people of China as true friends and brothers of Pakistan. "We welcome you from the core of our heart, and we only seek to capture the true essence of our relationship", he added. "Our fraternal bonds are rooted in the ethos of our people," he said, recalling Chinese President Hu Jintao as saying that "truly good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers".
"There is no doubt what the Mr Jintao has said - physical proximity, our common rivers and mountains and shared cultural civilisation heritage have given depth and substance to our relations", Zardari said. "Our peoples", the president said, "have waged similar struggles against the forces of subjugation and oppression. We face common challenge and have enormous resilience and potential to overcome these".
The Chinese premier's visit on the occasion of 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations will further boosts the relations between the two countries. "Your presence in Pakistan at this auspicious time signifies Your Excellency's personal commitment to our friendship. It is because of such commitment and the tireless efforts of the leadership of both countries that the Pakistan-China friendship has become a model relationship for the entire world", the President remarked.