PEKING: The Chinese Vice-Premier, Mr Teng Hsiao-ping said here tonight [May 13] that over the years Pakistan had extended to China “tremendous” support and help, for which China was “grateful”. Speaking in reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s speech at Mr Bhutto’s return banquet for the Chinese leaders at the Great Hall of the People here, Mr Teng was referring to Mr Bhutto’s tributes to China for its support … to Pakistan.

The Chinese Vice-Premier said it was natural … for the Third World countries to help one another politically, as well as economically. The Vice-Premier assured Prime Minister Bhutto that as China went ahead with its further socialist construction, it would be able to give bigger assistance to Pakistan. …

As for Prime Minister Bhutto’s current visit to China, he said it had achieved satisfactory results. It had made a “positive” contribution to promoting the traditional Sino-Pakistan friendship. … Mr Teng conveyed friendly sentiments and cordial regards of the Chinese people to the people of Pakistan. The Chinese people wished that the people of Pakistan would achieve new successes under the leadership of Mr Bhutto in defending State sovereignty.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024