All-weather friends

The fruits of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan, which concluded on Thursday, show the unbreakable friendship between the two countries is not just effusive words. The two nations' resolve to continue the good momentum in their long-term interaction will not only bring real benefits to the two peoples but also contribute to regional peace and development.

Through more than six decades of interaction, China and Pakistan have set an example in maintaining good neighborly ties that feature a high-degree of mutual trust, equality and reciprocal cooperation between countries with different ideologies, cultures and social systems.

China and Pakistan can always count on each other for sincere and selfless support and assistance in time of difficulty. The two sides have remained staunch supporters of each other on issues concerning their core interests while showing due respect to each other's choice of development path.

China has always viewed Pakistan as a good neighbor, a good friend, a good partner and a good brother. Li's visit shows China's new leadership is keeping a special niche for developing stronger ties with Islamabad.

On Wednesday, Li and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari attended a signing ceremony for 11 cooperation documents covering areas such as trade, technology and culture. Li has also put forward a five-point proposal to deepen the China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership in an all-round way.

Apart from strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure construction and people-to-people exchanges, Li suggests that the two countries coordinate more in regional and global affairs as well as work for the common interests of developing countries. These initiatives will inject new vitality into their bilateral interaction and bring their relationship to an even higher level.

With Pakistan pushed to the front line in the fight against international terrorism, and against the backdrop of the profound and complex changes taking place in the world, it is a natural choice for Beijing and Islamabad to strengthen their strategic coordination and cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Their cooperation in this regard will contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

We are fully confident that the tree of China-Pakistan friendship, which was planted decades ago and nurtured by successive leaders on both sides, will keep growing and bearing abundant fruits.

(China Daily 05/24/2013 page8)