Chinese premier urges closer ties with Pakistan, vows to enhance strategic cooperation

（Xinhua）  08:46, May 24, 2013  

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday urged China and Pakistan to nurture even closer ties, and enhance comprehensive strategic cooperation while addressing Pakistan's parliament.

In a speech titled "Let all-weather China-Pakistan friendship bear new fruits," Li said peace, development and cooperation is the theme of the times, and Asia has become one of the most dynamic and most visible areas worldwide.

"The deeply-rooted traditional friendship has laid a solid foundation for further development of China-Pakistan relations, while in the fast-changing era, we should do even better to advance the bilateral strategic cooperation in an all-around way," Li said.

He said the two nations should build an even closer relationship and step up their cooperation to cope with the profound international transformations and the challenges facing Asia.

Li said China would like to work with Pakistan to maintain close high-level contacts, strengthen communication and coordination over issues concerning each other's major interests, and deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperation.

The two nations need to explore their pragmatic cooperation in all areas, formulate a long-term plan for the China-Pakistan economic corridor project, promote connectivity between South and East Asia, and help improve people's livelihood.

The Chinese premier also suggested that the two countries expand their people-to-people and cultural exchange, and closely coordinate over regional and international affairs.

Over the next five years, China will help train 1000 Chinese language teachers for Pakistan and set up more Confucius Institutes in the country, Li added.