ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqub has said Pakistan and China enjoy close friendly relations which provide a solid foundation for further strengthening and broadening economic cooperation between the two countries.

The National Assembly speaker was talking to a Chinese parliamentary delegation led by Zhou Keren, the vice-chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of the Chinese Peoples's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at the Parliament House on Monday.

Referring to the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China, he said avenues of expansion and strengthening of these relations were still immense and needed to be fully explored and exploited. He also emphasized continuous efforts to expand trade, commercial and cultural ties between the two countries.

Zhou Keren thanked the Pakistan Government for the hospitality extended to the Chinese delegation. He termed his visit an important milestone in further cementing longstanding Pakistan-China friendship.

Meeting with Senate body: China has performed a near miracle of the century by successfully transforming its society after removing poverty and improving the quality of life of its people.

This was stated by Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed while talking to a Chinese delegation led by Zhou Keren, the vice-chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of the Chinese Peoples's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Senators Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Sardar Mahtab Ahmed, Latif Khosa, S.M. Zafar, Nisar A. Memon, Maulana Samiul Haq and Gulshan Saeed were also present at the meeting. Mushahid Hussain said Pakistan considered China its strategic friend, adding that "we have great respect and admiration for the Chinese people and its leadership."

On the occasion, Zhou Keren expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said China was very keen to further develop its friendship with Pakistan.