BEIJING, May 14: Chinese scholars and members of “think-tank” have commended Sino-Pak strategic partnership and said it has developed well in the recent years to meet common aspirations of the people of the two countries. They noted that while upholding decades-old Sino-Pak affiliation, Pakistan has also successfully improved its relations with the United States and other important countries of the world.

Huang Hua, President of China Association of International Friendly Contact, Ma Zhengeng, President of China Institute of International Studies and Zhang Yannong and Editor-in-Chief of state-run newspaper the Peoples Daily spoke highly of Sino-Pak friendship during their separate meetings held here with Pakistan Ambassador to China Salman Bashir this week.

They observed that President Pervez Musharraf and his government had successfully handled important regional and global issues in the wake of war against terrorism. This helped the country to earn a respectable place in comity of the nations.

Old and new generations of Chinese attach great importance to their relationship with Pakistan and are prepared to take further steps to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperative partnership at all levels, they added.

Huang, 92-year old scholar formerly known as Wang Rumei, who worked as country’s state counsellor and foreign minister during 1969-76, said Chinese leaders and people held Pakistan in high esteem for its constructive and positive role in the regional affairs. Pakistan’s efforts for peace and development were highly commendable, he added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held a reception at the Great Hall of the Peoples last night for members of diplomatic corps and briefed them about the recent visit of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to South and East Asian countries.

He reiterated that China would continue to work closely with the regional countries, adopting an identical position on global issues, including the UN reforms.

Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai highlighted China’s tremendous economic progress on the occasion, stating the country’s GDP and foreign reserves had reached $1.6 trillion and $699.9 million respectively.—APP