Pakistani PM attends foundation laying ceremony for Pakistan-China friendship complex

Source: Xinhua | 10-24-2008 14:56

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday unveiled the foundation stone plaque of a Pakistan-China friendship center in Beijing for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Pakistan-China Friendship and Cultural Complex, Gilani said he expected this complex to serve as a landmark and living monument of the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan.

"I hope to see this complex as a dynamic platform for cultural interactions among our two peoples," he said. He encouraged the cultural ministries of both countries and other relevant institutions engaged in the fields of arts, literature, mass communications, journalism and academia to utilize this platform.

Gilani said Pakistani government has provided 100 million rupees (some 1.2 million U.S. dollars) and will continue to provide necessary funds for the establishment of the complex, which covers a total area of 4,500 square meters.

According to Gilani, the construction of a similar complex in Islamabad has also begun.

Gilani also hailed that the bilateral relations between China and Pakistan is "unique and multi-dimensional", which cover political, strategic, defense, economic and trade areas.

Gilani arrived here Thursday night to attend the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled for Oct. 24-25 in Beijing.

Editor:Zhang Ning