No matter what difficulties we are faced with, China has always been with us giving her whole-hearted support. Pakistan and China are 'all-day friends', Pakistan present Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told People's Daily at his office on July 19.

Pakistan Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain

He said that the friendship between the two countries has stood up to time, the people and governments on both sides have profound feelings about each other. The two countries will further strengthen cooperation in various fields and boost the bilateral exchanges to a new height.

Zafarullah Khan Jamali, former Pakistani Prime Minister, resigned in June and Hussain, President of Pakistan Muslim League was selected as the successor and sworn in on June 30. The government for this term is interim in nature and Hussain's duty will conclude when new prime minister is elected on August 18. Therefore, people say that the government is "caretaker government".

Hussain is cool with it. When complimenting Shaukat Aziz, the most likely candidate now, Hussain said that the financial minister and economic expert, if elected, will surely bring the economy of Pakistan onto a new stage. He told the correspondent that in order to attract foreign investment, especially Chinese entrepreneurs to start businesses in Pakistan, they have built industry zone for the Chinese. The new prime minister will definitely continue extensive cooperation with China in economy and trade for development hand-in-hand.

He did not hide his feelings about China, which are beyond expression. He said it is his biggest dream to visit China, a great country. Initially a visit was scheduled in June 2004, but there is not time for it in the near future because of he resignation of the former Prime Minister.

Hussain hoped that he can visit China at the end of August when the new prime minister is elected, again, in the capacity of the president of Pakistan Muslim League, instead of prime minister.

Asked whether it is because he has more in common with the Communist Party of China (CPC), he said solemnly that the relationship between Muslim League and the Communist Party of China is a brotherhood-like friendship featuring resonance that originate from deep in the heart. He held that the relations between countries are not merely inter-governmental but represented through other important channels, e.g. exchanges between political parties and people, which are playing their unique roles in promoting the cooperation across borders.

"The meeting for foreign ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will open in Islamabad. There I will mention a country and that is China. " Hussain said, he will have negotiations with Indian Foreign Minister on the regional issues of South Asia. Pakistan advocates solving problems between countries through dialogue but not resorting to confrontation. Domestic peace in Pakistan is impossible without the peace in South Asia, Hussain said.

Hussain spoke highly of the long lasting good-neighborhood between Pakistan and China and held that it will be an important foundation on which the bilateral relations is to be pushed. There is no other country that has boosted relations with Pakistan to the height Pakistan and China have reached.

Asked why he has been earnestly devoting himself to developing Sino-Pakistan friendship, Hussain quoted the saying "a good neighbor is a bless", which to him is the exact description for Sino-Pakistan relations. It is a blessing that the people of Pakistan to have such a good neighbor of China. Pakistani government and people will try their best to repay China, said Hussain.

The article is carried on Wednesday's People's Daily, and translated by People's Daily Online