Topic: Sino-Pakistani relations

Q: How do you see future Sino-Pakistani relations?

A: I was appointed as China's ambassador to Pakistan in March 2007 and returned home in June 2010. That time was very special for me as a diplomat. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Pakistani relations, when the two countries had diplomatic visits at premier level to celebrate the occasion. The long friendship between China and Pakistan is the benefit of the top leaders’ personal devotion, two countries’ unconditional support to each other's core concerns and the profound friendship between the people.

China and Pakistan have had all-round cooperation. When the Wenchuan earthquake hit China in 2008, Pakistan sent 30,000 tents to China, which were actually for their national strategic store. Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi then told me they would do anything necessary to the quake zone. In return, when Pakistan suffered from natural disaster, China sent out aid to Pakistan as soon as possible.

There is not a single problem between the two countries. When China's State Councilor Dai Bingguo visited Pakistan on Dec, 24, 2011, he used "Iron friendship" to describe the relation between Pakistan and China, while the Pakistani leaders said they hope relations can grow to be steel-like.

Next, I hope the two countries can develop more trade cooperation as we both have big markets and encourage the young generations to know more about each other.