Pakistan and China are linked by common mountains and rivers. The friendship between our peoples has a time-honoured history, and our two countries regard each other as a good neighbour, good friend, good partner and good brother and have developed an exemplary state-to-state relationship.

We would like to welcome His Excellency the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on behalf of Pak China Club to Pakistan. As we are all well aware of the friendship both our countries have with each other. We hope that this relationship will grow as time passes by.

Pakistan is one of the first groups of countries that have recognised China. On May 21, 1951, the two countries officially established their diplomatic relations. Since then, China and Pakistan have witnessed smooth development of friendly and neighbourly relations as well as mutually beneficial co-operation. This year both countries are celebrating as a year of friendship to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. The Pakistan-China friendship is unique in many ways in the recent history of state-to-state relations.