Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called China an "iron brother" of Pakistan and said his visit to Beijing for the 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) will take bilateral strategic ties to new heights.
In his departure statement before embarking on a four-day visit to China to attend the BRF which began on Thursday, Khan said he was looking forward to meet his "good friends" President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for an in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest.
"I begin my visit to China today with the resolve to take our all weather strategic cooperative partnership to newer heights, Khan said.
He described China as Pakistan's "closest friend" and "iron brother".
Khan said it was a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan-China bilateral ties were not only based on convergence of interests but rooted in common experiences of past and high-level of mutual trust and understanding.
He said that Pakistan-China friendship is "ingrained in the hearts and minds of the two people" and it would remain unaffected by any regional and international developments.
I want to thank China for its strong and unequivocal support to Pakistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to standby China on all issues of its core interest, Khan said.
He "endorsed China's vision of a peaceful world based on win-win cooperation and community of shared destiny and a new model of development envisioned in President Xi's Belt and Road Initiative."
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