President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that Pak-China relationship was based upon mutual trust and respect and driven by convergence of interests on all important issues. In a meeting with Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of National Peoples' Congress here at the Great Hall of People, the President said that friendship with China was a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign and security policy.
Terming the relationship of China and Pakistan as 'iron brothers,' the President said that such time tested ties with China enjoyed support of political parties of all hues and all sections of society in Pakistan. Discussing bilateral ties, the two leaders believed that the early implementation of Pakistan China Economic Corridor Project and other connectivity projects would cement Pak-China trade and commercial ties besides setting in a new era of prosperity and economic progress for 3 billion people of the region.
"We believe that an advanced infrastructure, energy and communications network between our two countries linking western regions of China with Pakistan will revolutionise investment and trade in the adjoining regions of Pakistan and China as well as the whole region in the years to come," President Mamnoon said. President Mamnoon Hussain thanked Chairman Zhang Dejiang for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also wished him a prosperous and a very Happy New Year - the year of the Horse.
Welcoming the President on his first state visit to China, the Chairman NPC said that China attaches importance to the visit of the President Hussain and expressed the hope that it would prove fruitful in further cementing the trusted friendship between the two countries. The President observed that coming to China always gave him a cosy feeling, like among family members. Referring to Chairman Zhang Dejiang's visit to Pakistan in 2010, as Vice Premier, the President said it cemented the foundation of the historic Sino-Pak friendship, adding that such ties had transcended all boundaries and barriers. The two leaders expressed the hope that the relations would grow from strength to strength with each passing day.
The President also lauded his services in the office of Chairman of China's top legislative body; the National People's Congress and expressed the confidence that under his guidance, co-operation and dialogue between National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of Pakistan would be further strengthened. He urged the need for frequent parliamentary exchanges between the legislative houses of Pakistan and China and said that close co-operation between the two parliaments would further strengthen the all-weather and trusted ties, besides offering the opportunity to the parliamentarians to learn from each other experiences.
Those present during the meeting included among others: Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister, Punjab, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/SAPM, Miftah Ismail, Special Assistant to Prime Minster and Chairman Board of Investment, Rana Sanaullah, Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab, Suleman Shahbaz, Syed Murad Ali Shah, advisor to Chief Minister, Sindh on Finance & Energy , Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid and Hassan Nawaz Tarar, secretary ministry of planning, development and Reforms.