BEIJING, Dec 19: Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is also General Secretary of Chinese Community Party, has underlined the importance of President Pervez Musharraf’s coming visit to China and said it would go a long way towards furthering the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

China, he added, was ready to join the efforts of the Pakistan Government and the people in bringing a comprehensive partnership between the two countries to a new high in the new century.

He observed this in an exclusive written interview with APP.

Mr Jiang said: “A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is very important to China and Pakistan, both being neighbours of that country.”

Since the Sept 11 incident, he said, China and Pakistan had maintained close consultation and coordination and played a constructive role in actively facilitating a fair and equitable settlement of the Afghan issue.

The Chinese President said: “As terrorism seriously threatens regional and world security and prosperity, the international community has the responsibility to fight terrorism with concerted actions.”

President Jiang said his country was pleased to see improved relations between Pakistan on the one hand and the US and a number of countries on the other.

China, he said, was in favour of international support and assistance to Pakistan. “It is our consistent view that maintaining China-Pakistan friendship not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but is conducive to peace and stability in the region,” he added.

To a question about the visit of President Musharraf to China, commencing from Dec 20, Jiang Zemin said it would help further strengthen their bilateral relations.

He said the two countries had conducted fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, trade, scientific, technological, and cultural and others fields, with gratifying results.

Over the years, he said, the leaders of the two countries had conducted frequent exchange of visits, which played an irreplaceable role in enhancing the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Mr Jiang further said China attached importance to bilateral cooperation in trade and economic fields, regarding it as a key component of the overall relationship.

He said China was ready to continue to provide assistance to Pakistan and promote, with an active and pragmatic approach, bilateral trade and economic cooperation so as to benefit the two countries and its peoples.

Replying to another question regarding Pakistan-China cooperation at the level of UN and other world fora for taking identical position on regional and international issues, the President said since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Pakistan had treated each other with candor, understanding and support.

This, he added, formed an important basis of the ever-growing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

By upholding justice on many major international and regional issues, China and Pakistan had maintained the legitimate rights and interests of the developing countries in their large numbers, thus winning the respect and praise in the international community, he added.

During the interview, Mr Jiang also spoke about the development of Pakistan-China relations, in special reference to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He said China and Pakistan were close and friendly neighbours with a time-honoured traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, he said China-Pakistan friendship had stood the test of changing situation.

“With mutual trust and mutual support, the two countries have cultivated an all-weather relationship of friendship and cooperation and China-Pakistan friendship has struck deep roots in the hearts of the two countries,” he added.

Mr Jiang said they were proud of the 50 years of China-Pakistan relationship. “China values its friendship with Pakistan and attaches importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries,” he added.—APP