BEIJING: Pakistan-China cooperation will continue to keep developing through joint efforts as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them, the Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said here in an interview.
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, who is also the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said the cooperation between Pakistan and China has yielded great dividends for the two peoples over the past six decades.
"The friendship between Pakistan and China is higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the ocean, and sweeter than honey and sugar," said Sharif, who is the chief minister of Pakistan's most populous Punjub Province.
This year is also the China-Pakistan Friendship Year, which was declared by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani during Wen's visit to Pakistan in December 2010.
To further promote Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation is the consensus across the political spectrum in Pakistan, Sharif said, adding that Pakistan is grateful for China's efforts to help Pakistan in its development.
As a close friend of China, Pakistan is proud of the achievements made by China since the introduction of the reform and opening-up policy, Sharif said.
He also said he believes bilateral trade will grow quickly in tandem with deepening ties. Currently, China is Pakistan's third largest trade partner, while Pakistan is China's second largest trade partner in South Asia.
On the relations between the PML-N and the Communist Party of China (CPC), Sharif said his party attaches great importance to its relations with the CPC. It will further enhance exchanges and cooperation with the CPC, learn from the party and promote the in-depth development of Pakistan-China relations.
On the fight against terrorism in Pakistan, Sharif said terrorism is the biggest enemy of his country, referring to the latest terrorist attack in a club in Karachi on Thursday night in which a bomb blast left dozens dead and injured.
However, Pakistan does not feel pessimistic in the face of the difficulties during the fight against terrorism, Sharif said. Pakistan will take comprehensive measures including military operations, education, developing economy and creating more employment opportunities in its efforts to eliminate terrorism.
Pakistan hopes to continue its cooperation with China and other parties in the international community in the fight against terrorism, he said.
Sharif and his delegation who left Friday for Pakistan, visited China at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
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