ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri at a reception on Friday said the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan had stood test of the time.

The reception was held by the Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhao Hui to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the foundation of People’s Republic of China,

The foreign minister congratulated the people of China on their national day and hoped that they will achieve new heights in their struggle to uphold their status as a strong economic power not only in the region, but the worldover.

Referring to the Sino-Pakistan growing relationship, he said the two sides maintained close interaction to adopt a common position on regional and international issues.

Prominent personalities including Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, besides Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsanul Haq attended the reception.

The National Day of China falls on October 1, however the Chinese embassy hosts the reception a day or two earlier as it is a tradition that the Chinese people enjoy weeklong holidays to mark their National Day and the holidays begin by October 1.

Talking to APP, Senate Chairman lauded the evergreen Sino-Pak strategic partnership and said “it meets the common aspirations of their people”.

He said the government and the people of Pakistan attached great attachment to their relationship with China and wished to deepen it in all spheres of life.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also congratulated the Chinese people on their national day, stating their achievements in various sectors are also a matter of pride for the Pakistani nation. “We are looking forward working together to meet the future challenges in socio-economic field and improve the living conditions of their people,” he added.

The Chinese ambassador reciprocated the friendly sentiments of their Pakistani friends.