ISLAMABAD, April 6: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday that Pakistan-China relations had entered a new qualitative stage, and their multi-faceted ties would not only be mutually beneficial but would also contribute to regional stability. The two leaders, who met at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, observed that a series of agreements and the treaty of friendship signed by the two countries on Tuesday would carry forward their deep-rooted and all-weather relationship to new heights.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern and said they would continue to share and coordinate their views at political and diplomatic levels.

Receiving the visiting leader, President Musharraf said Pakistan and China enjoyed long-term strategic ties and their time-tested friendship had been a factor of stability and progress in the region.

“Our relations are long-standing, encompassing all spheres and marked by a high degree of mutual trust and confidence,” he remarked.

The president described the signing of friendship treaty as a step forward from the historic declaration signed by President Hu Jin Tao and President Musharraf in Beijing in 2003.

President Musharraf particularly referred to the economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and said Chinese assistance in the construction of Gwadar port and other development projects was a testimony to Beijing’s commitment to region’s economic progress.

“The fast-expanding Pakistan-China cooperation in various economic areas will herald closer ties between the private sectors and also strengthen people-to-people contacts,” he said.

The Chinese prime minister appreciated economic turnaround achieved by Pakistan and said consistency of policies had propelled Islamabad to a stable economic stage.

Appreciating Islamabad’s efforts for establishment of durable peace and stability in the region, Mr Wen said Beijing favoured peaceful settlement of all disputes in South Asia.

China had been supportive of Pakistan’s initiatives for peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including the lingering Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He said agreements signed on Tuesday were important due to their substance.—APP