Pakistani prime minister meets Chinese foreign minister Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Ministe...

Pakistani prime minister meets Chinese foreign minister

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L) in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, May 29, 2012. (Xinhua/Jia Hanlong)

ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that his country is willing to work with the Chinese side to deepen their practical cooperation, broaden people-to-people exchanges, especially among young people, and bring the friendly and cooperative relations to a new height.

The special friendship between the two countries has weathered the test of time and grown stronger, he said during a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

He said the Pakistani side always firmly supports China's stand on issues concerning its core interests such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, and is grateful for the firm support rendered by the Chinese side for Pakistan's efforts to uphold national sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and dignity.

Yang said that the friendly ties have been forged and nurtured under the joint efforts of generations of leaders. Both sides adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, extend mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The China-Pakistan relationship, experiencing the tests of changeable international situation, has become an example of friendly coexistence between different countries.

The Chinese side will continue to handle the relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective, unswervingly pursue the policy of friendship toward Pakistan and work with the Pakistani side to develop bilateral relations to a new stage, he said.

Deepening the practical cooperation has an important bearing on the long-term development of relations between the two countries, Yang said, adding that the Chinese side will work with the Pakistani side to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and earnestly fulfill its commitment to post-disaster reconstruction projects in Pakistan.

The effort will be focused on enhancing cooperation in energy, infrastructure and agriculture and expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win situation for the well-being of the two peoples, said Yang.