The friendship between Pakistan and China over the past six decades has been strong and constant, Pakistani Ambassador to China Masood Khan said Monday.

The year 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. It is also the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship.

"If you see other inter-state relations, usually you see ups and downs. There have been many changes in Pakistan, in China and internationally, but our relationship and friendship has remained constant," Khan said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

He said the friendship has become a stabilizing factor in the region. "We have worked together to promote peace and stability in the region and at a global level."

"The Pakistan-China friendship over the past six decades has been a win-win partnership," Khan said.

Activities to celebrate the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship have started, with China sending a 100-strong youth delegation to Pakistan, Khan said.

The delegation, composed of government officials, academics, writers and journalists aged in their 20s and 30s, will "transmit the friendship between our two countries to the younger generation," Khan said.

"Our forefathers laid the foundation of this friendship. Now the youth is going to sustain this friendship," the ambassador said.

A 100-strong Pakistani youth delegation will soon visit China, and forums for young entrepreneurs may start this year, Khan said. "We can call this year 'the year of China-Pakistan youths'."

Khan said the future belongs to the youth of both countries, adding that they have to preserve the traditional friendship.

"They are interested in meeting each other and understanding each other's perspectives," Khan said, adding that young people's engagement is good for the future of Pakistan-China relations.

In January, China Radio International (CRI) started broadcasting in both English and Urdu, Pakistan's native language.

Khan said the CRI programs will first be heard in Pakistan's key cities and then across the country, to "bring the peoples of the two countries closer."

Seizing the opportunity to celebrate bilateral friendship, Pakistan hopes to deepen the China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation, particularly in economics and trade.

Looking ahead, Khan expressed optimism.

"No relationship can compare to the Pakistan-China relationship, because it is a very strong and resilient relationship. In the years to come, this relationship will become even stronger," he said.