Chinese President Jiang Zemin told visiting Pakistani Chief Executive Pervez Musharaf that that China pursues a comprehensive partnership with Pakistan in Beijing Janaury 18.

In the new century, China will make new efforts to consolidate and advance the Sino-Pakistani relations, Jiang noted.

He described China and Pakistan as good neighbors, saying that the friendship of the two countries, established on the basis of the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries, hasstood the test of time.

The mutual understanding and support of the two countries are due to adhering to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, Jiang added. He stressed that every country has its own culture and history. It is therefore natural that they take development paths suitable to their own national conditions.

China hopes that Pakistan will maintain social stability and economic development. Jiang said that China would like to see a more stable, prosperous Pakistan in the future.

China will pursue good relations with all neighboring countrieson the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, and will never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, Jiang said.

China also hopes that countries in the region will resolve all ethnic and religious conflicts in a peaceful manner, said Jiang.

Musharaf said that his current visit has been fruitful. He expressed his thanks for the understanding and help China has offered to Pakistan over the years. Cooperation and friendship between the two countries should be cemented in the new century.

Pakistan hopes that peace and stability will be realized in South Asia, Musharaf said, adding that Pakistan would like to resolve peacefully all its problems with India.

Pakistan also wants to promote the peaceful settlement of the Afghanistan issue. Peace and stability should be realized through establishing an extensively-represented government with all parties concerned.