2011-05-18 21:43

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani (R) and China's Premier Wen Jiabao (C) inspect honour guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, May 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday reaffirmed the two countries will maintain an all-weather friendship.

Wen held talks with Gilani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. They are expected to witness the signing of a number of cooperative documents between the two countries.

Before the close-door talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Gilani, who arrived in Shanghai Tuesday evening for a four-day visit to China.

Wen first welcomed Gilani to China, adding that his visit would enhance the China-Pakistan friendly cooperative relationship.

According to Wen, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations as well as important international and regional issues."We have reached a broad consensus," he said.

"I want to stress that no matter how the international situation changes, China and Pakistan will always be good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers," Wen added.

Gilani thanked Wen for his warm welcome and hospitality and talked warmly about the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan relations.

"People and government institutions of the two countries are celebrating this year by organizing a series of activities. I still recall your visit to Pakistan during which we made important decisions to take our defence, economic and cultural ties to new heights," said Gilani.

The two sides signed three cooperative documents during the signing ceremony, including an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between China and Pakistan, Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding on Crisis Management between the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and the State Bank of Pakistan, and Addendum No. 2 to Lease Contract Sanduck Copper-Gold Project for Extension between Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd and Sanduck Metals Ltd.

Liu Mingkang, chairman of the CBRC said the amendment between the bank and the State Bank of Pakistan is a very important agreement, as it allows the two sides to strengthen coordination, exchange information and make joint efforts to tackle crises together.