Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Ehsan Ul Haq is on a six-day visit to China to push forward friendly relations between Pakistan and China.

 

In his meeting with Vice President Zeng Qinghong in Beijing Friday, Ehsan said the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China has withstood the test of time, and people from the two countries are sincere and friendly to each other.

 

To develop friendly relations with China is an important part of Pakistan's foreign policy and Pakistan will keep closer cooperation with China and enhance mutual trust so as to further deepen bilateral ties, Ehsan said.

 

Pakistan firmly supports China's reunification cause, he added.

 

Zeng said China appreciates Pakistan's support in the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights, and China will make joint efforts with Pakistan to push ahead China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership.

 

Ehsan also met with Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan earlier on Friday morning.

 

Cao said Chinese and Pakistani defense ministries and armed forces have kept long-term close contact and China is willing to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in various fields.

 

Ehsan said Pakistan cherishes its traditional friendship with China and will enrich the bilateral partnership under new world situation.

 

Ehsan started the visit as guest of Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, from Wednesday. He will also visit Zhengzhou in central China and Shanghai in eastern China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2007)