Top Legislator Meets Pakistani DelegationLi Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said Monday that China pays great attention to its traditional friendship with Pakistan.Li made the remarks during a meeting with a Pakistani friendly delegation led by Pakistan former Foreign Minister Agha Shahi. The delegation is here for the 50th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations. A stable, friendly and mutually beneficial China-Pakistan relationship will not only serve the common interests of the peoples of China and Pakistan, but will also be favorable to the peace and stability of South Asia, Li said. The top Chinese legislator described China-Pakistan relations as an "all-weather friendship," which have withstood the test of time, thanks to the two countries having strictly observed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The five principles are mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful Coexistence. They are commonly recognized standards on international relations. The Chinese side believes that under the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the friendly relations between the two sides will have new and bigger development in the new century, Li said. Shahi said many members of the delegation had visited or been in China many times, and are deeply impressed by the development of China during their current visit to the country. Shahi stressed that members of the delegation believe that Pakistan-China relations will continue to maintain their current momentum of development in the future. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |