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Chinese, Pakistani Leaders Exchange Messages on Anniversary of Relations
Chinese and Pakistani leaders exchanged congratulatory messages on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which falls on May 21.
In a message to his Pakistani counterpart, Muhammad Rafiq Tartar, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said: "China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbors linked by common mountains and rivers, and the traditional friendship between our two countries goes back to ancient times."
"Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan 50 years ago, the two sides have always been abiding by the five principles of peaceful coexistence and respecting, understanding, trusting and closely cooperating with each other," Jiang said.
The Chinese president went on to say the friendly bilateral relations not only accord with the common wishes and fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, but also benefit the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.
Echoing Jiang's voice, Tartar said in his message, "This friendship has stood the test of time and has been growing in strength and vitality despite far-reaching changes in the international environment. It has also remained unaffected by domestic changes."
"Our two countries oppose international and regional hegemony and have been striving for a just international political and economic order," he added.
The Pakistani head of state noted that the two countries consult each other on international and regional issues and cooperate closely in international fora.
In his message to Pakistani Chief Executive General Pervez Musharaf, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said the mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of politics, economy, culture and science and technology between the two countries has progressed in an all-round way.
"No matter how the domestic and international situation changed, the Sino-Pakistani friendly cooperative relations have always maintained a healthy trend of development," Zhu said.
Zhu also expressed his confidence that with the joint efforts of the two governments and the two peoples, the Sino-Pakistani partnership of all-round cooperation will be further enhanced and strengthened continuously.
In response, Musharaf said, "Both Pakistan and China are resolved to reinforce their abiding friendship and all-round partnership during the new century for the mutual benefit of their two peoples and for peace, stability and development in the region."
"In the years ahead we will continue our high-level contacts, enhance our economic cooperation and intensify people-to-people contacts," he said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also sent a message to his Pakistani counterpart, Abdul Sattar, to mark the anniversary.
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