Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met?in Guangzhou?Monday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, expressing appreciation for Pakistan's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R) meets with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Aug. 24, 2009. [Chen Yehua/Xinhua]

In Guangzhou, Yang extended Chinese President Hu Jintao's cordial greetings and good wishes to Zardari.

China-Pakistan ties had withstood the test of the changeable domestic and international situations and maintained healthy and smooth development, Yang said.

The bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership was developing smoothly with close high-level contacts, frequent friendly exchanges and deepened cooperation, he said.

China valued the hard-earned strategic mutual trust and deep friendship with Pakistan and would continue to view the bilateral ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective, Yang said.

He said China was ready to work with Pakistan to deepen the strategic cooperative partnership and enhance coordination in the international and regional affairs.

Zardari said that Pakistan adhered to the one-China policy and firmly backed the Chinese government's position on the July 5 riot in Urumqi.

Zardari called upon the two countries to enhance cooperation in such areas as agriculture, transportation, irrigation and infrastructure.

Also on Monday, Zardari attended the Forum on Pakistan-Guangdong Trade and Investment Opportunities and delivered a keynote speech.

At the forum, the Pakistan Investment Committee and the Guangdong Council for the Promotion of International Trade signed a memorandum for cooperation, which aimed at enhancing communication in the fields of information and exhibitions.

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the two countries' trade reached 3.057 billion US dollars in the first half of this year, of which the trade volume between Guangdong and Pakistan accounted for 22 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2009)