ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said Pakistan and China had shared interests in the promotion of peace and development in the region.

Addressing a 100-member youth delegation from China at the Prime Minister House, Gilani said the ever-expanding cooperation in multifaceted fields reflected the goodwill that the leadership and the people of two countries nurtured for each other.

The delegation led by Deputy Secretary General of All China Youth Federation (ACYF) Wan Xuejun is currently visiting Pakistan. It comprises people from different walks of life, including professionals, business entrepreneurs, artists, students and sports persons.

Gilani said the depth of Pak-China partnership could be measured by an all-encompassing nature of the strategic relations which cover trade, investment, energy, transportation, agriculture, infrastructure building, defence, education, science and technology, human development and cultural exchanges.

Gilani said the strengthening of people-to-people contact was a manifestation of the shared resolve to further deepen bilateral relations.

He hoped that the visit would contribute to building a bright future for the relations of the two countries.

“It goes without saying that Pakistan and China are good neighbours, time-tested friends, kind brothers, close partners and strategic allies,” he said.

He said the unique relationship went beyond the governments and was owned by the people of both countries.

Prime Minister Gilani said the Pakistan-China friendship, aptly described as all-weather, had stood the test of time.

He said Pak-China bilateral ties were based on strong foundations of trust and mutuality of interests and were also rooted in the ethos of the people of both countries.

Gilani said the future of any nation depended upon its youth and on how best it used their potential.

He said the Pakistani youth was deeply interested in the affairs of the country and were playing their due role in its socio-economic development.

“They believe in a strong, democratic, moderate and prosperous Pakistan. What they need is the right kind of environment and we are focusing on making Pakistan's environment conducive to our youth,” he said.

He said Pakistan sought to create opportunity for modern education and social landscape upon which its youth could exploit their natural abilities to the maximum.