The Pakistan Embassy in Beijing hosted a dinner reception and investiture ceremony at the Grand Millennium Hotel to celebrate Pakistan's 71st National Day yesterday evening.

Pakistan's ambassador to China, Masood Khan, addresses the guests?gathering for a dinner reception and investiture ceremony at the Grand Millennium Hotel to celebrate Pakistan's 71st National Day on March 23, 2010. [China.org.cn]

Addressing the function, Pakistan's ambassador to China, Masood Khan, emphasized the flourishing, cordial relationship between Pakistan and China.

 

"China and Pakistan are the best friends in the world, and our relationship is unique," he said in Chinese.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

Ambassador Khan expressed hopes to further improve the Pakistan-China relationship over the coming year.

"We shall take our bilateral relations to new heights, especially in the areas of economic cooperation and person-to-person contact," he said.

He thanked the Chinese government, the People's Liberation Army, Chinese corporations, Chinese universities and thousands of Chinese citizens for their timely, substantial and unconditional support to Pakistan during last year's floods.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for participating in reconstruction efforts in Pakistan. He particularly recognized the medical missions sent by the China Earthquake Authority and Armed Services Police Hospital for providing relief to Pakistanis affected by the floods.

During the ceremony, retired Maj. Gen. Cai Bingkui, professor Qin Dahe and Wang Xiaoping, chief executive of China Harbor Engineering Company in Pakistan, honored for their valuable service promoting and strengthening Pakistan-China relations.

Hundreds of high-ranking Chinese civil and military officials, diplomats of various countries, representatives of media and academia and members of the Pakistani community in Beijing attended the ceremony.

The event commemorated the signing of the Lahore Resolution of 1940. It was here that the idea of setting up an independent country for India's Muslims was first conceived. Pakistan was formed seven years later on August 14, 1947.