India-Pakistan ties very important for region's stability: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

BEIJING: As Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Pakistan from India for a visit, China today said as a "friendly neighbour", it would like to see the two countries improve their bilateral relations.

"We noted that relations between India and Pakistan have shown positive movement. Leaders of the two countries said they are committed to improve their relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters here.

"Both India and Pakistan are major countries in South Asia. Their relations are very important to peace and stability in the region," he said. "As friendly neighbour of the two countries, we sincerely hope that the two countries can improve their relations and maintain peace, stability and development of this region," he said.

Yesterday, the Chinese premier concluded his three-day visit to India during which he stressed on the need to work as regional and global partners.

On the second leg of his first foreign trip since he assumed office in March, the Chinese premier arrived to a red carpet welcome in Pakistan today for a two-day visit and held talks with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
A commentary by state-run Xinhua on the Chinese premier's visit to Pakistan said it is worth noting that Li is the first foreign leader to visit the country in the wake of the May 11 general elections.

Despite the differences in ideology, religion, culture and social system, the bilateral ties have withstood various tests and vicissitudes of international situations since China and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1951, thanks to the high level of mutual trust, equality and cooperation, it said.

The two countries have shaped a paradigm of neighbour-to-neighbour relations. Their time-tested friendship, described by some as "higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans," is not just a bunch of empty words, it said.

Militarily, China eyes pragmatic and effective cooperation with Pakistan, which is in the front line of the fight against international terrorism, the commentary said. The military exchanges are not directed against any third party and contribute to peace and stability both regionally and globally, it said.

In parallel with political and military cooperation, economic ties between China and Pakistan have been strengthened, it said. In recent years, bilateral trade has kept growing by more than 20 per cent annually in spite of global economic slowdown, yielding great dividends for the people in the two countries.

China and Pakistan can always count on each other for sincere and selfless support and assistance, the commentary said, recalling mutual assistance during natural disasters.