In the most difficult and critical moment of our history when the whole world is taking advantage of the opportunity arising from Abbottabad operation, ignoring our sacrifices, and pointing fingers towards us. China stood by Pakistan and the most heartening statement came from Beijing. China stands firmly behind Pakistan and Pakistani government is firmly resolved and strongly active in its fight against terrorism and has made important contributions to international anti-terror efforts. This statement testifies the famous line which is often quoted while describing Pak-China relations, Friendship between two countries is Higher than Himalayas, Deeper than Oceans and sweeter than honey. Two neighbours enjoy the most friendly & cordial relations for the last six decades. These relations are time-tested and rooted in the hearts and souls of the two peoples. Both always stood shoulder to shoulder in times of trial. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise the Peoples Republic of China in 1950. Pakistan also played an important role for the restoration of Chinas legitimate rights in the UN, and also remained a steadfast ally during Beijings period of international isolation in the 1960s and early 70s. While China has long provided Pakistan with major military, technical, and economic assistance, including the transfer of technology and equipment. The Korakoram Highway linking Pakistan and China is the manifestation of the strong relations between the two neighbours. This Friendship Highway was completed in 27 years. Work on this wonder of the world started in 1959 and was completed in 1986. 810 Pakistani and 82 Chinese workers lost their lives, mostly in landslides and falls, while building the highway. This road traces one of the many paths of the ancient Silk Route. It gets its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade, which began during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 CE). Friendship between Pakistan and China dates back to the first dawn on the new land for the Muslims of subcontinent. During the Bandung Conference in 1955, Premier Zhou Enlai held two friendly talks with Pakistani Prime Minister M Ali. Next year Hussain Shaheed Suhrwardy and Zhou Enlai visited each others country. In 1962, the two countries, through friendly talks, reached an agreement in principle on the position and alignment of Sino-Pakistani boundary. The final agreement was signed by foreign ministers Chen Yi for the Chinese and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for the Pakistan. In February 1964, Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan. As foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto realised that Pakistan needs friendly China as a deterrent to Indian threat. Bhutto is thus considered as the chief architect of this exemplary friendship. Later as President and PM Bhutto gave utmost importance to Pakistans relations with China. After becoming Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto announced her first foreign visit will be that of China and hence visited China in February 1989. She gave utmost importance to bring the two countries even closer. In December 1993, Prime Minister BB paid another visit to China. In September 1995, invited by the Chinese Government Prime Minister BB attended the 4th World Women Conference sponsored by the UN in Beijing as a special guest. 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Pakistani diplomatic relations and colourful celebrations were held in the two countries. Being always friendly to each other, China and Pakistan have kept close contacts in the culture, science, technology, defence and trade. Defence ties between china and Pakistan are time-tested. Both countries collaborate very closely in defence and enjoy strong cooperation. China has helped Pakistan built Heavy Mechanical Complex, Aero Nautical Complex and other defence production units. Pakistan is producing the JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft jointly with China. The K-8 Karakorum light attack aircraft was also co-produced. Trade relations began shortly after the establishment of diplomatic ties in the early 1950s, and the two countries signed their first formal trade agreement in 1963. In October 1982, China-Pakistan Joint Committee of Economy, Trade and Technology was set up. With the joint efforts, Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation has seen excellent progress. A comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2008, giving each country unprecedented market access to the other. The two countries have cooperated on a variety of large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including highways, gold and copper mines, major electricity complexes and power plants, and numerous nuclear power projects. Roughly ten thousand Chinese workers are engaged in 120 projects in Pakistan. One of the most significant joint development projects of recent years is the major port complex at the naval base of Gwadar. Gwadar port enables both countries to diversify and secure their crude oil import routes and provides the landlocked, oil and gas-rich Xinjiang Province with access to the Arabian Sea. Since 2008, when the new Peoples government assumed the reigns of Pakistan, Prime Minister Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari have declared relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistans foreign policy. President Zardari has paid six visits to China while PM Gilani has gone to China several times. Both leaders are carrying forward the vision of PPP to strengthen Pakistans relations with China. On the invitation of Prime Minister Gilani, Chinese premier Wen Jia Bao visited Pakistan December last, where he held several talks with Pakistani leadership. Pakistan and China have concluded agreements worth $ 35 billion and a bilateral trade volume reaching $15 billion, during this historic visit. The Pakistani telecommunications, energy, infrastructure, heavy engineering, IT, mining, and defence industries have received considerable Chinese investments. China has become a popular destination for Pakistani students for professional studies especially in the fields of medical, Engineering, IT and Telecommunication. Like wise trends to learn Chinese language among Pakistanis is on rise. 2011 has been declared Friendship Year by both countries to commemorate the 60 years of diplomatic relations. PM Gilanis visit to China is part of these celebrations and both parties will exchange views on deepening bilateral relations, promoting pragmatic cooperation in a wide range of areas and other international and regional issues of common concern.