It seems I’m visiting my brother’s home: President Xi

ISLAMABAD: Commenting on his two-day visit to Pakistan beginning April 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping says it seems he’s visiting the home of his brother.
In a special interview with The News on Saturday, the Chinese president said during his youth he would hear enchanting stories about the Pakistan-China friendship such as ‘the Pakistani people had made efforts with full force with their hands to build their beautiful houses, Pakistan provided airspace to China to contact the world and Pakistan fully supported China for the restoration of its legal position in the UNO’.
He said all these stories had left deep imprints on his mind. “I will land in Pakistan on April 20 and it will be my maiden visit, but it seems I’m visiting the home of my own brother.”
He said the relationship between the two countries had developed into a strong tree anchored deep into the ground thanks to years of struggle by the leadership of both countries.
President Xi said the Pakistani people praise the Pakistan-China friendship in such a beautiful manner like ‘Sino-Pak friendship is above the mountains, deeper than the seas and sweeter than honey’.
In the same way, he said, the Chinese people also consider Pakistan as a loyal and true friend. President Xi said he remembered a Pakistani poem in which the poet says, ‘The beautiful face of my friend is like a mirror in my heart and I see him when I bend my head.”
He said relations between the two countries will remain healthy and progress without being affected by any kind of internal or external changes.
He said both countries respect and support each other on mutual issues and take great care of each other’s basic interests.
President Xi said the Pakistan government and people had achieved remarkable success by improving their living standard and economy, discouraging terrorism and extremism and protecting national security and social stability. He said being a brotherly country China was very happy at these successes.
The Chinese president said he believed that Pakistan will make progress and get more successes in future with its solid commitments and in this way the dream of ‘becoming an Asian Tiger’ will come true.
He said China wanted to establish cordial relations with its neighbours, including Pakistan, and play its role in the development of South Asia.
He said during his stay in Pakistan he would meet President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other leaders and exchange views of mutual interest.
“Let’s make joint efforts and pledge to take the Pak-China friendship to further heights,” said President Xi.