Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in Islamabad on Sunday that his country will further enhance the relations with China.

The prime minister, who will pay an official visit to China from Dec. 14 to 18, told Xinhua in an interview that he will bring a band of cabinet members and business people to China in an effort to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in political, economic, cultural, defense and other sectors.

The friendship between Pakistan and China could be dated back to the Silk Route period, said the prime minister, adding that Pakistan has long been one of the closest supporters of China since it gained independence from the British colonial reign in 1947.

In a bid to boost the bilateral link to "a new height", the prime minister said during his visit he will update the Chinese leadership on the fresh development of Pakistan and discuss with them on the possibility of stronger cooperation.

A number of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding are likely to be signed during his stay in China, he said.

"I will also take a message to Chinese companies, inviting them to come here," the prime minister said, adding that Pakistan will take strict measures to guarantee the security of Chinese people working in Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2004)