Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Beijing Tuesday afternoon with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the two sides vowed to further deepen bilateral links.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2009. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Hu said China-Pakistan relations have maintained a momentum of sound development since the new government came into office in Pakistan.

China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors joined by mountains and rivers, Hu said. Since the two countries established diplomatic links more than half a century ago, they have always shared mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and mutual assistance no matter how the international situation and their domestic conditions changed.

The two countries have developed an all-weather friendship and carried out all-dimensional cooperation, the Chinese president said.

He said China-Pakistan relations enjoy solid social basis and strong vigor. Further reinforcing and advancing China-Pakistan relations are not only in conformity with the basic interests and common will of the two peoples, but also of great significance for maintaining and promoting peace, stability and development in the region.

China has always attached priority to its relations with bordering countries, Hu said, expressing the willingness to join hands with Pakistan to further enhance mutual trust at strategic level, deepen cooperation in all dimensions so as to jointly open up an even brighter future for China-Pakistan strategic cooperation.

Hu noted trade and economic cooperation makes an important part of China-Pakistan relations.

"We are glad to witness the smooth progress of a number of major cooperative projects under the joint efforts of both sides, such as the Neelum-Jhelum hydro-electric project and the Karakorum Highway (KKH) upgrading project," Hu said.

Noting that the two countries signed an agreement on service trade of China-Pakistan free trade zone in the beginning of this year, Hu said the agreement opened up broad prospect for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The president said China places importance on trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan, expressing the willingness to advance China-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation to achieve greater fruits on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and practical and orderly operation.

He expressed appreciation on Gilani's consistent effort to uphold China-Pakistan friendship and his focus on developing bilateral links.

"I appreciate your comment that no matter how the international situation has changed, the peoples of China and Pakistan are always joined in hearts and hands," Hu said.