President Hu Jintao arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a state visit to Pakistan to forge closer ties between China and Pakistan.
In a written statement delivered upon arrival, Hu said China and Pakistan were good neighbors, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers.
Since diplomatic relations were forged 55 years ago, due to concerted efforts of the two governments and peoples, China and Pakistan had fostered an all-weather friendship and enjoyed comprehensive cooperation, said Hu.
As history had shown, Hu said, the China-Pakistan friendship met the fundamental interests and shared aspirations of the two countries and peoples and contributed to peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
His visit was to deepen friendship, expand cooperation and plan for future bilateral relations, Hu said, adding that he looked forward to an in-depth exchange of views with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and other Pakistani leaders on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. Hu will also meet public representatives of Pakistan during the visit.
He expressed his belief that this visit would consolidate the China-Pakistan traditional friendship and usher in a new age of close ties.
China-Pakistan trade volume exceeded US$4 billion last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 39 percent.
Pakistan is the last leg of Hu's four-nation tour, having already taken him to Vietnam, Laos and India.
He also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from November 17 to 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.
(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2006)
