A 100-member youth delegation of Pakistan left Islamabad?for China Thursday on a week-long visit aimed at boosting exchanges between the two friendly nations and marking the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

"The youths from all walks of life in Pakistan will have a good chance to look at China and know more about Chinese people and its culture," Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian told the delegation at a see-off reception.

In November 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao invited 500 young people from Pakistan to visit China within five years when he paid a state visit to Pakistan. In response, the Pakistani government also invited 500 Chinese youths to Pakistan. The program was launched in 2007.

"The youth exchange program is aimed at increasing mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples, especially in the Pakistan-China Friendship Year 2011," said Liu.

Pakistani Additional Foreign Secretary Hasan Javed expressed the hope that the delegation members could take the opportunity to learn from "friendly China" and help enhance "time-tested friendship" between the two countries.

"I appreciate the Chinese government for the chance to visit," said Syed Udin, a university student from Hunza, north Pakistan. " We will work hard to make our own contribution to Pakistan-China friendship," he said.

The youth delegation is scheduled to visit Beijing, Jiangxi and Guangdong from April 22 to 29.

In January, the third batch of Chinese youth group visited Pakistan.