President Asif Zardari stresses need for strengthening Pak-China people-to-people contacts

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - President Asif Zardari has stressed the need for strengthening people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and China.

He expressed these views in an interview with the Chinese media on the 73th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between both countries.

The President said that more policies are needed to facilitate the movement of people between two countries. “Continuity of policies is a key reason for China's economic success. Pakistan hopes to be more involved in China's development process,” he added.

He said that former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had asked the nation to look towards the East and China. “Since the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 11 years ago, the Gwadar port has seen many developments. The Gwadar port will always welcome investors from all over the world,” he declared.

The President was of the view that Pakistan adheres to the One-China principle. “Pakistan rejects any form of independence for Taiwan, which is part of China, no other way. Pakistan will always stand by China and protect China's basic interests,” he concluded.