ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: The Communist Party of China (CPC) reiterated on Monday its resolve to cement the already strong friendly ties and cooperation with Pakistan.

“Whatever … the global situation, China will remain a sincere friend of Pakistan,” said Deputy Minister for International Relations of the CPC Liu Hongcai during a meeting with PPP leaders here.

The six-member delegation is on an official visit to Pakistan, meeting leaders of major political parties, including the PML-N.

The PPP and the CPC leaders reiterated their resolve to strengthen political cooperation.

The two sides discussed various issues in the context of the political situation at regional and international levels.

They resolved that both sides would play an active role in furthering cooperation between the people and among political forces of both countries.

Liu Hongcai, head of the Chinese delegation, said the CPC team had held fruitful discussion and shared its views with PPP leaders about enhancing political cooperation.

He said he was confident that the friendship between Pakistan and China would not diminish no matter what happened in the world or in Pakistan.

“I am here to send a strong message that the people of China and Pakistan will always remain good friends.”

The PPP side was led by its secretary-general Jehangir Badr and included federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator-elect Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad, Managing Director of the Pakistan Baitul Mal Zamurrad Khan, president of the PPP Rawalpindi City Amir Fida Paracha, MPA Nargis Faiz Malik.

Later, Mr Badr said President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China and the visit by the Chinese delegation would prove to be a “milestone” in bilateral ties, founded by PPP’s first chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and furthered by Benazir Bhutto.