Chinese Defense Minister Meets Pakistani GuestsChinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Tuesday with a friendly delegation from Pakistan headed by former Pakistani Foreign Minister Agha Shahi.Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that China and Pakistan are good neighbors, and Sino-Pakistani all-time friendship has developed continuously and become an example of friendly coexistence between the states with different social systems since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 50 years ago. China and Pakistan have committed to five principles of peaceful coexistence, and supported and sympathized with each other in the international affairs, he added. Chi expressed gratitude and appreciation for the support given by Pakistani government on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights, and briefed the guests on Chinese domestic situation and army building. Shahi said that no matter what changes have taken place in the international arena, the relations between Pakistan and China have been stable and developing. He mentioned Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Pakistan last April, saying it promoted the friendship between the two countries to a new stage. The Pakistani non-governmental organizations will continue to promote the relations between Pakistan and China, he stressed. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |