China, Pakistan launch year of friendly exchanges

BEIJING: China and Pakistan have launched the 'China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges 2015' here to boost their all-weather friendship.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq attended the launching ceremony here yesterday.

In a bilateral meeting ahead of the ceremony, Li said China attaches great importance to their all-weather strategic partnership with Pakistan.

He hoped both sides could actively conduct exchanges in all fields to strengthen people-to-people relations so that bilateral goodwill will be deeply rooted in hearts of the two peoples, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Sadiq said all parties in Pakistan share consensus on developing friendship with China and are willing to work with China to advance friendly relations.

In February 2014, leaders of China and Pakistan agreed on launching 'China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges in 2015'.

Under the programme, both sides will hold a series of events to promote understanding, trust and friendship between the two peoples throughout the year.