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BEIJING, Nov 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf met the Chinese defence officials here on Wednesday, and emphasized strong military ties between the longtime allies.
He was earlier greeted by Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan.
Gen Musharraf told Mr Cao and his military aides that he felt “very much at home”.
He also met former president Jiang Zemin, who is chairman of the commission that runs China’s military.
“The past belongs to Europe, the present belongs to the United States, and the future belongs to Asia,” he said to a gathering of more than 400 Chinese and Pakistani executives on Tuesday night.
“In that, China’s role is critical,” he said. “China’s economic miracle of the last 20 years is a beacon for all developing countries like Pakistan,” he remarked.
SINO-PAKISTAN TIES: Meanwhile, Chinese top legislators expressed their full support to the government’s policy of maintaining close relations with Pakistan.
“Wu Bangguo, Chairman of National People’s Congress (NPC) and Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the country’s top political consultative body agreed to keep close bilateral relations and further develop cooperation,” said Chinese official sources while talking to APP.
During their separate meetings with the President, they endorsed the decades’ old policy of maintaining exemplary neighbourly relations with Pakistan. There was a complete consensus on the need of developing comprehensive partnership between the two countries.
The Chairman of the NPC spoke highly of China-Pakistan relations. The two countries have offered strong support to each other on major issues and maintained full consultations and effective cooperation on international affairs.
Mr Wu said parliamentary exchange played an important role in improving mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and is an important part of bilateral relations.
Gen Musharraf said the two countries have maintained close contact, consultations and have supported each other on many major international issues. Pakistan is ready to further develop its relations with China and promote relations between the two countries’ parliaments, he added.
In a separate meeting, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Pakistan is China’s most trustworthy and reliable friend.—PPI/APP
