China-Pakistan friendship will be a shinning example: Official

BEIJING: Terming Pakistan an "all weather" friend, China today said their ties will be a "shining example" for other neighbouring countries even as Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was expected to visit Islamabad for the National Day parade, gave it a miss.

"China congratulates Pakistan for its military parade. We hope for full success of the parade," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

"China-Pakistan relations are tested through time. We are now all weather friends to each other. We have shown high level of mutual understanding and support to each other and have come through ups and downs together with each other," Hong said.

"Practical cooperation can be further pushed forward and the community of shared destiny between China and Pakistan will be a shining example of those between China and other neighbouring countries," he said

Early this year, speculation was rife that Xi would pay his first visit to Pakistan and take part in the military parade held after seven years.

Islamabad extended an invitation to Xi soon after US President Barack Obama paid a high-profile to India to attend its Republic Day celebrations.

As the Chinese officials weighed down the security considerations for Xi.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Islamabad last month during which he inaugurated China's biggest embassy abroad.

Quoting Wang, Hong said Xi would be visiting Pakistan as soon as possible.

"It will be the first visit paid by a Chinese leader to Pakistan in nine years. We hope that through this visit the all weather friendliness between the two countries can be further enhanced," he said.

Xi's visit to Pakistan had been due since September when he undertook his first visit to the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.

The Chinese president had to cancel his Pakistan visit due to political turmoil in Islamabad. It was the first time that a Chinese leader put off a visit to Pakistan.