Reception to mark commencement of Pak-China Friendship Year 2011

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that there were sincere sentiments of everlasting friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of Pakistan and China. This he said in his message on the occasion of commencement of Pakistan-China Friendship Year 2011, which was read out by Secretary Foreign Affairs, Salman Bashir at a reception jointly hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of People's Republic of China.
In his message to Premier Wen Jiabao of China, the Prime Minister said that on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan he was conveying to the Chinese people and leadership their sincere greetings on the occasion of commencement of the 2011 as Year of Friendship between Pakistan and China.
Salman also read out the massage of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, wherein he reiterated his commitment to work for strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
On this occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the government decided to celebrate 2011 as the year of friendship between Pakistan and China. He said that the people of Pakistan would reach out to their Chinese brothers and sisters in all spheres of life to renew and impart greater vitality to the friendship and partnership between the two countries.
Highlighting the enthusiasm and applause shown by parliamentarians during the Chinese Prime Minister's address to the joint session of the Parliament, the minister said it was reflection of warmth and sincere relationship between the two countries.
He said after coming into power, President Asif Ali Zardari visited China six times. He said China was a time-tested friend of Pakistan. "Both governments agreed on making meeting of foreign ministers of both countries as an annual feature", he added.
He further promised that Pakistan is a future hub of economic activities. "Despite serious law and order situation, Pakistan has been recognised as emerging economy of the world," he said. He said that a strategy would soon be evolved to encourage students to go to China far higher studies.
Ambassador of China to Pakistan Liu Jian said they believed in the saying that a close neighbour or friend is better than a distant relative. He said the recent visit of Chinese premier helped both countries to strengthen their economic ties. "Both sides signed around 20 agreement which will bring 10 billion dollar investment," he added. He assured his country's full support in reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood hit areas. On the occasion he handed over a cheaque of one million yen to Red Cross. A large number of ambassadors, foreign and local dignitaries, editors of newspapers attended the grand reception.