China would work with Pakistan to push forward the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership, said Vice President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Tariq Majid, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan.

Hailed the relations between China and Pakistan, Xi said the two nations enjoyed profound friendship, which had stood the test of international changes.

China and Pakistan set up diplomatic ties 57 years ago. Xi said the two countries witnessed increasing mutual trust in politics and expanded cooperation in various areas.

China valued the traditional friendship with Pakistan, and was ready to advance relations with the south Asia country, he noted.

Echoing Xi's remarks, Majid said his country attached great importance to the relations with China, and would join in China to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Later this day, Majid also met with the Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.

Liang applauded that the two countries have witnessed satisfactory achievement on military cooperation, in accordance with the sound development of bilateral relations.

China will work jointly with Pakistan to deepen exchanges and cooperation in every military aspect such as anti-terrorism, said Liang.

Attaching great importance to bilateral relations, China pays much attention to maintaining the China-Pakistan friendship. China always handles and develops relations with Pakistan with strategic and long-term perspectives, Liang added.

Majid agreed to advance the relationship with China under today's global situation.

Majid was here for the Sixth Sino-Pakistani Defense and Security Talks.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)