ISLAMABAD, June 9: President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday called for enhanced trade and economic relations with China to match the level of political ties between the two nations.

He was talking to members of a Chinese parliamentary delegation led by Vice-Chairman of National People's Congress Li Tieying who called on him here at Aiwan-i-Sadr. The leader of the Chinese delegation conveyed good wishes to the president and the people of Pakistan from the Chinese leadership.

He said China "appreciates economic achievements" by Pakistan over the past four and a half years in different sectors of the economy. Reciprocating the sentiments, President Musharraf said that Pakistan "attaches great importance" to its relationship with the People's Republic of China.

He said relationship between the two neighbourly and friendly countries had stood the test of time and will grow further in the future. He said both the countries have identical views on various regional and international issues.

The president referred to his visits to China and talks with the Chinese leadership. He thanked China for extending support to Pakistan in the implementation of mega projects like Gwadar port, Chashma nuclear power plants, copper project and exploitation of Thar coal. -APP