News
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Pakistan, China to further strengthen ties
Staff Report
KARACHI: Pakistan and China will further bolster bilateral relations in the coming years; Consul General (CG) of China Zhang Jianxin and Sindh Chief Secretary Ghulam Ali Pasha jointly announced it.
The CG, with a Chinese delegation attended a function here at the Chief Secretary’s House on Tuesday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We are enjoying time tested friendship with Pakistan and our relations are like a rock,” the CG said while addressing the gathering. He said the Chinese people would never forget the relief efforts made by Pakistan during the 2010 earthquake in one of the provinces of China. Similarly, he said, China also reciprocated and extended all out help to the flood victims in Pakistan.
“Three Chinese medical teams visited Sindh and a helicopter was also provided to rescue the flood-hit people of the province,” he said, and added that other relief supplies were in addition to that assistance.
“The two countries are good neighbours and trusted partners enjoying friendly cultural relations and bilateral trade,” he observed. The CG said that the Chinese premier visited Pakistan last December and signed a number of agreements to boost trade and cultural ties between the two countries.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Sindh chief secretary said that the Pakistan government has already declared the year 2011 to be commemorated as ‘Sino-Pak Year of Friendship’.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have issued special directives to the provincial governments to commemorate the year in a befitting manner. “Sindh has taken the lead in this regard and a number of programmes have been arranged to commemorate the year,” he said.
Pasha said a number of conferences, seminars, essay writing and debate competitions will be organised by the provincial government and students, businessmen and media will be invited to highlight the importance of the ties between the two countries.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk