On October 13, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Great Hall of the People.
China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Hu said. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, they have always shared mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and mutual assistance no matter how the international situation and their domestic conditions changed. The two countries have developed an all-weather friendship and carried out all-dimensional cooperation, the Chinese president said. He noted China-Pakistan relations have maintained a momentum of sound development since the new government came into office in Pakistan.
Hu said China-Pakistan relations enjoy solid social basis and strong vigor. Further reinforcing and advancing China-Pakistan relations are not only in conformity with the basic interests and common will of the two peoples, but also of great significance to maintaining and promoting peace, stability and development in the region. China has always taken its relationship with Pakistan as one of the priorities of its relations with bordering countries, He also expressed the willingness to join hands with Pakistan to further enhance mutual trust at strategic level and deepen cooperation in all dimensions so as to jointly open up an even brighter future for China-Pakistan strategic cooperation.
Hu noted trade and economic cooperation makes an important part of China-Pakistan relations. "We are glad to witness the smooth progress of a number of major cooperative projects under the joint efforts of both sides, such as the Neelum-Jhelum hydro-electric project and the Karakorum Highway (KKH) upgrading project," Hu said. Noting that the two countries signed an agreement on service trade of China-Pakistan free trade zone in the beginning of this year, Hu said the agreement opened up broad prospect for bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The president said China places importance on trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan, expressing the willingness to advance China-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation to achieve greater fruits on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and practical and orderly operation.
Gilani conveyed congratulations from the Pakistani people and President Asif Ali Zardari to China on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Gilani said Pakistan and China share a time-tested and all-weather friendship which has taken root deep in the hearts of the two peoples. Pakistan treasures and appreciates the firm support that China lent to it, Gilani said. He emphasized that Pakistan-China friendship and their strategic cooperative partnership constitute an important factor for peace and stability in the region. Gilani expressed the willingness to conduct closer cooperation, reinforce traditional friendship, push forward practical cooperation in various fields and advance major cooperative projects for greater progress. Gilani also expressed the wish to strengthen cooperation with China on the anti-terrorism front. He said Pakistan will continue to adopt forceful measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutes and personnel in the country. Gilani said Pakistan will continue to strengthen mutual support with China on regional and international issues. He hoped China will play its important role in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. Gilani reiterated that the government of Pakistan will continue to firmly support China's position on issues concerning its core interests, including issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and other officials attended the meeting.