ISLAMABAD, March 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Saturday greeted Hu Jintao and Zeng Qinghong on their election as president and vice-president of China.

The president and premier also expressed the confidence that under their wise leadership China would continue to play its role for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

In a message to the Chinese president, Mr Musharraf said: “On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I convey our warm and most sincere felicitations to Your Excellency.”

The president also said:”Your election as president of the People’s Republic of China, in addition to your responsibilities as general secretary of the Communist Party of China, is an acknowledgement of your outstanding contribution to the service of nation and the great trust that the people of China have reposed in your leadership.

In a separate message to the Chinese vice-president, the president said the traditional friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China had withstood the test of time.

He said: “I am confident that with your guidance, China would continue to advance in this course and make its indispensable contribution to the promotion of peace and stability in the region and the world.”

PM’s MESSAGE: Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali, in a message to the newly-elected Chinese president, expressed the confidence that Pakistan and China would continue to further strengthen their friendly ties.