KARACHI, May 22: The president of the Peoples Republic of China, His Highness Mr. Hu Jintao, has expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Pakistan for successfully organising Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Islamabad on April 16.

In a message released by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China, Islamabad, to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), the Chinese president said: “I am grateful to the support extended by President Pervez Musharraf as well as the government and Pakistani people to the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and the excellent arrangements made to ensure its success.”

It further states that the Chinese side would like to work together with their Pakistani counterparts to push forward the China-Pakistan Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

His Highness Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peoples Republic of China, has also sent a message to his Pakistani counterpart Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi to acknowledge Pakistan’s support for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.

The Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China has also complimented POA and renewed assurances of its highest consideration.