Ｃｅｌｅｂｒａｔｉｏｎｓ ｏｆ “Ｃｈｉｎａ ａｎｄ Ｐａｋｉｓｔａｎ ５５ Ｙｅａｒｓ ｏｆ Ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓｈｉｐ ａｎｄ Ｐａｒｔｎｅｒｓｈｉｐ” Ｈｅｌｄ

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs， Embassy of Pakistan in China and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) jointly hosted the celebrations of “China and Pakistan 55 Years of Friendship and Partnership” in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 2. Jia Qinglin， chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)， attended and addressed the celebrations.

In his speech， Jia Qinglin said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan 55 years ago the two countries have enjoyed mutual understanding， respect， trust and support， conducted all-round cooperation in the political， economic， military， scientific， technological and cultural fields and maintained close coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs. The friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan has brought about tangible benefits to the two peoples and made great contribution to safeguarding lasting peace in the world and promoting the common progress of mankind.

Jia stressed that despite turbulences in the world China-Pakistan relations have maintained strong vitality. The most important reasons are that both sides always handle the bilateral relations in accordance with the five principles of peaceful coexistence and are committed to good-neighbourly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. China-Pakistan relationship has become a successful example of friendship between developing countries and between countries with different cultural backgrounds. We are proud of having such a good partner， good neighbour and good friend as Pakistan.

Jia said that currently China-Pakistan relations are facing new development opportunities. The Treaty of Good-neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation signed between the two countries in 2005 outlines a blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties. The Chinese side believes that with the solid foundation of 55 years of friendship and the joint efforts of the two governments and their people the bilateral relations will surely make more fruitful development in the new century.

Speaking at the celebrations， Pakistani ambassador to China Salman Bashir noted that China is the most reliable friend of Pakistan. Although the domestic situation of the two countries and the international situation keep changing， Pakistan and China always maintain close relationship of friendship and brotherhood. The Pakistani government and people value their friendship with China very much and are determined to work together with the Chinese government and people to further strengthen cooperation and ensure peace and prosperity in this region， Asia and the world at large.

The celebrations also include a picture show of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan and the issuance of two books: Collection of Important Documents of China-Pakistan Relations and Travel in Pakistan. About 700 delegates including Liu Yandong， vice chairperson of the National Committee of the CPPCC and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee， Wu Dawei， vice foreign minister， Chen Haosu， president of the CPAFFC， friendly personages from all walks of life and foreign diplomats of a number of countries to China attended the celebrations. During the event， Ambassador Bashir also announced the list of Chinese personages who have received medal conferred by Pakistani President Musharraf for their meritorious service for Pakistan-China friendship.