Comment By Gilani, Who Started 4-Day China Visit, Underscores Tensions With US
TNN & AGENCIES
Beijing: Pakistan prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani arrived in Shanghai on a four-day visit to China on Tuesday. The trip was planned in advance but comes at a critical time for Pakistan as its relations with the US have soured over the American raid to take out bin Laden on May 2.
Gilani called China Pakistan's "best and most trusted" friend while Beijing backed Islamabad's counter terrorism efforts. He told Chinese official media that Beijing had stood by Islamabad in most difficult times. "To test a friend whether true or not, it needs time and means under crisis, we appreciate that in all difficult circumstances China stood with Pakistan, therefore we call China a true and a time-tested and all-weather friend," Gilani told Chinese media.
He said China was the first country to express solidarity with Pakistan in the aftermath of bin Laden's killing. Washington has been piling up pressure on Islamabad to crack down on terror groups.
China called Pakistan a "victim of terrorism" and applauded its battle against terrorism. "Pakistan has made very important contribution to international counter terrorism cooperation as well as great sacrifices," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said. She said China will continue to support Pakistan's efforts to counter terrorism and asked the international community to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan.
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