ISLAMABAD, SEPT 28 (DNA) –President Mamnoon Hussain has greeted Chinese leadership on the occasion of the Chinese national day. The President was the chief guest on the occasion of the national day reception held at the Chinese embassy on Monday.The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan held a reception to celebrate the 66thanniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China. More than 900 people from walks of life of the countries were present in the reception.

In his speech, Ambassador Sun Weidong spoke highly of the great progress made in the development of China over the past 66 years, stressing that Chinese economy has entered into the new normal and China continue to deepen reforms and expand opening-up. China is able and confident to maintain steady and relatively rapid development of its economy.

Ambassador Sun said, “During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic state visit to Pakistan this April, both sides agreed to uplift the bilateral relations to the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. China-Pakistan relations have entered into the new stage of grand and vigorous development.”

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has entered into implementation from early planning. The CPEC is a long-term ongoing cooperative process requiring unremitting efforts from both sides, and will bring benefits to the people of our two countries and also help promote the regional development, he added.

Ambassador Sun said, “This year is the Year of China-Pakistan Friendly Exchanges. The Chinese Consulate General in Lahore is to be officially inaugurated soon. Direct flight by Air China between Beijing and Islamabad will be launched in the near future. And more facilitation will be offered to the visa application of the Pakistanis who participate in the CPEC projects.

These measures will surely promote the interaction between our two peoples, and further deepen our mutual understanding and friendship.

As Conclusion of his speech, President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying that if two brothers get united, they can even work together to cut through a metal during his visit to Pakistan.

Ambassador Sun said the two brotherly countries should make joint efforts to further promote China-Pakistan friendship, realize our common dreams, and achieve the goal of the Community of China-Pakistan Shared Destiny at an early date.

At the reception, the guests were also impressed by the culture performance by the artists from Xinjiang Acrobatic Troupe and picture exhibition of “tempo of China” reflecting the great achievements of the Chinese economy, society and culture.=DNA