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China assures Pakistan on friendship and cooperation

China today assured Pakistan that friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries would remain intact despite changes in the domestic and international scenario.

In separate congratulatory messages to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Chinese president Jiang Zemin as well as premier Zhu Rongji noted that "both countries trust and understand each other and have been cooperating closely with each other".

"Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan 50 years ago, the two sides have always been abiding by the five principles of peaceful coexistence and respecting, understanding, trusting and closely cooperating with each other," Jiang was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

In his message to Pakistan's chief executive officer General Pervez Musharraf, Rongji said the mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of politics, economy, culture and science and technology between the two countries has progressed in an all-round way.

"No matter how the domestic and international situation changed, the Sino-Pakistani friendly cooperative relations have always maintained a healthy trend of development," he said.

Jiang noted that "the friendly bilateral relations only accord with the common wishes and fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, but also benefit the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large."

Pakistani leaders, including president Muhammad Rafiq Tarar and military ruler Musharaf have also sent congratulatory messages to their Chinese counterparts, Xinhua said.

In his message to Jiang, Tarar noted that Pakistan-China friendship had stood the test of time and has been growing in strength and vitality despite far-reaching changes in the international environment.

"Our two countries oppose international and regional hegemony and have been striving for a just international political and economic order," he said.

Musharaf said, "Both Pakistan and China are resolved to reinforce their abiding friendship and all-round partnership during the new century for the mutual benefit of their two peoples and for peace, stability and development in the region."

"In the years ahead we will continue our high-level contacts, enhance our economic cooperation and intensify people-to-people contacts," he said.

Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan also sent a message to his Pakistani counterpart, Abdul Sattar, to mark the anniversary.

Two Chinese navy warships are also visiting Karachi port as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

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