By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday held formal talks here focussing on further cementing strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Chinese Premier warmly received Zardari at his residence where the two leaders shook hands and exchanged brought grins reflecting warmth and strength of friendly bond between the times tested friends.
Zardari introduced to Jiabao members of his entourage which included Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Environment Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik, Media Advisor to President Farhatullah Babar, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tareen, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan.
The Chinese side included Premier Wen Foreign Minister, Assistant Minister, Vice Minister MOFCOM, Deputy director General Asia Department protocol and Information Department.
Welcoming Zardari, Jiabao said that it was a great pleasure for him to welcome him in China.
Jiabao was of high praise for President Zardari for visiting China as his first destination for state visit which demonstrates that Pakistan attaches immense importance to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said that the bilateral relations and cooperation will witness further improvement and depth with the passage of time.
Reciprocating the sentiments and feeling of the Chinese Premier, Zardari expressed his deep pleasure to be in China, the most trusted and reliable friend of Pakistan.
He mentioned the special relations of Bhutto family including Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto with Chinese leadership.
The leadership played a pioneering role in promoting and deepening the bilateral ties that turned into strategic partnership over the period of time.
During the meeting matters pertaining to expanding bilateral relations, and cooperation in the areas of common interest received special focus.