Chinese President Xi terms Pakistan as iron brother

Islamabad, April 21: Visiting Chinese President Xi Jingping termed Pakistan as "Iraon Brother" while addressing a joint session of the parliament on the second and last day of his visit to the country.

"Pakistan is the first foreign country that I visit this year and my first visit to your country, but Pakistan is not at all unfamiliar to me," Geo TV quoted President Xi Jinping as saying.

The joint session was specially called in honour of the visiting President Jingping.

"We stood together in each other's hours of need," said Jingping. He said that it was an honour for him to address the Pakistani Parliament.

"We are also thankful for the hospitality of our Pakistani guests, he said.

"China considers Pakistan as its ‘Iron Brother'. I remember the time when China was completely isolated in the world," he said.
He said that Pakistan opened its airspace for China when it needed it the most, and was the first country to initiate diplomatic relations with China in 1950.

"Your visit to this house is not a formal state visit. It is a brother's homecoming, and the reunion of one's family. We all join hands to welcome you," said National Asse,bly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Joint session was also addressed by the Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and was attended by chief ministers, governors, service chiefs, diplomats and other important personalities.

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