Spotlight: Pakistanis hail Chinese president's article on friendship

A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday drew enthusiastic responses from Pakistanis in all walks of life, who said his upcoming historic visit will open a new chapter for China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Pakistan is the first stop of Xi's first overseas trip this year. The Chinese president is to visit the country Monday and Tuesday before traveling to Indonesia for an Asian-African summit and activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

The visit will provide a "historic opportunity" for further deepening the time-tested all-weather friendship between the two countries, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain said.

In the article published by Pakistani press on the eve of Xi's state visit to the South Asian nation, the Chinese president called for advancing cooperation with Pakistan in various areas.

Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's top national security adviser, described the article titled "Long Live China-Pakistan Friendship" as "incisive and warm."

"The article very rightly pointed out the historical background, and the progress made in strengthening relationship and predicts with confidence that these relations will be lifted to a new height in the coming years," he said.

He said Pakistan firmly adheres to the "one China" policy and has supported China on such core issues as Tibet, human rights and fight against terrorism.

Rahimullah Yousafzai, editor-in-chief of The News daily, said the article showed that like the old generations of Chinese leaders, the new Chinese leadership is familiar with the longstanding relations with Pakistan.

"The Chinese president's comments show the bilateral relations had been friendly despite so many changes in the world and the region. There is more potential to further cement these relations under the incumbent Chinese leaders as the president has also mentioned," he said.

Echoing Yousafzai's view, Javed Siddiqu, editor-in-chief of the Urdu daily Nawa-i-Waqt, said that in the article the Chinese president has rightly and in true spirit explained his sentiments about Pakistan.

"The former Chinese leaders had laid a strong foundation for bilateral relations and President Xi and other leaders have continued the same policies and want to contribute more to make the relationship strong," said Siddiqu, who is also an anchor of a TV program on current affairs.

"President Xi has expressed special sentiments for Pakistan in his article and that is important ahead of his historic visit. Pakistanis have similar sentiments for the Chinese president and other leaders as all survey conducted in Pakistan shows China is the number one friend of Pakistan," he said.

Saeed Chaudhary, director of the Islamabad-based Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues, said that through the article, Xi directly talked to Pakistanis and made them aware what he has been feeling for Pakistan.

"His start with a quote from an Urdu poem is touching because Xi Jinping told Pakistanis that Pakistan lives in the heart of China," he said.

"I has heard that Chinese President Xi Jinping possesses a charismatic personality that easily win hearts ... but now during last one week what atmosphere has been developed in Pakistan to welcome him is really a proof that he has something fascinating," he added.

Huamira Sharif, a student of International Relations at the National Defense University, said he was moved by the Chinese president's words that described Pakistan as the home of his own brother.

"I also love China because China has always helped us like a true brother and like a loyal friend. Pakistan and China's relationships are old and I hope that they will keep on supporting each other in the future," he said.

He said that both countries have ancient civilizations and that cultural exchange programs will give chance to the two peoples to learn from each other.

"Chinese people have worked very hard ... and I hope that by following the footsteps of China, Pakistan will fulfill its dream of becoming an Asian Tiger," Sharif said. Endi