The China-Pakistan friendship should be passed on and pushed forward from generation to generation, Jiang Zemin, chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said in Beijing Wednesday.

In a meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Jiang described Musharraf's ongoing state visit as one "inheriting the past and forging ahead into the future" since he had met with China's new leaders and old friends.

Regarding China and Pakistan as good neighbors, good partners and good relatives, Jiang said the two countries consistently respect, support and help each other, which helps set an example of peaceful cooperation between countries of different social systems and cultures.

On the current international and regional situation, Jiang noted that each person of insight should consider how to avert wars and losses of lives, and establish a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational.

China has always stood for peace and insisted on resolving disputes through dialogue and cooperation, said Jiang, adding that countries, with their different civilizations, should undertake dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing, and learn from one another so as to push human civilization to prosperity and enrich and develop their own.

Speaking highly of the overall friendly ties of cooperation between the two nations, Musharraf said he agreed with Jiang's viewpoints on the current international and regional situation.

Pakistan will make concerted efforts with China to strengthen bilateral political relations and further expand trade and economic cooperation, said Musharraf.

He especially welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest and set up joint ventures in Pakistan, hoping for more contacts in the private sector so as to boost bilateral friendly cooperation.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan was also present at the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2003)