Not a friend from afar, but close to our hearts: Xi Jinping

ISLAMABAD:

President of China Xi Jinping in a historic address to Parliament’s joint session today spoke of Pakistan and China long-standing ties, saying that Pakistan has stood by China at a time when it stood isolated in front of the world, according to local media sources.

Jinping addressed warm greetings and wishes on behalf of 1.3 billion people of China.

He stated that Beijing and Islamabad have offered tremendous support to each other during various times, and also spoke of the assistance to one another in events of natural disasters.

“Pakistan is the first foreign country that I visit this year and [it is my] first visit to your country, but Pakistan is not at all unfamiliar to me,” he said.

“It has made tremendous efforts and endured enormous sacrifice.”

He spoke of Islamabad’s anti-terror efforts and said that Pakistan had shown great courage throughout. “Pakistan has stood on the frontline in the international fight against terrorism,” said Jinping.

Talking about the mega-project of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, “It is a catalytic project that will help us combine the geo-economic streams of our countries.”