Pakistan-China friendship going strong: Zardari

Karachi, Jan 11(ANI): The friendship between Pakistan and China is growing from strength to strength and has withstood the test of time, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

Addressing a Chinese youth delegation at the Governor's House here, Zardari said that both countries share a friendship rooted in history.

"The Silk Route has connected the two countries for centuries. Our people have waged similar struggles against the forces of oppression. We share a common outlook on major international issues... these are some factors that have bonded the two countries together," the Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

He said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was especially proud of the fact that the foundations of friendship in modern times was laid by former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Zardari further emphasized that the recent visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan should be seen as a landmark in Pakistan-China relations.

"Our friendship has been further strengthened by strong people-to-people contacts. China's economic progress is nothing short of a modern day miracle. We deeply admire the rise of China as the second largest economy of the world," Zardari said.

"What other countries have achieved over the course of centuries, China has achieved in just 30 years. Today's China is a living example of the wisdom and vision of its leadership, and the hard work and spirit of its people," he added. (ANI)