China's economic strength helps Asian and world economies, said Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Beijing Thursday, while delivering a speech at prestigious Qinghua University in Beijing.

"This was evident when the financial crisis ravaged the southeast Asian economy in 1997 and 1998. China's economic strength stabilized the economies of the entire Asia-Pacific region," said Aziz, adding that the integration of China's economy with those of other Asian nations and regions will bring great benefit and opportunity to the entire continent.

"I firmly believe that the 21st century will be the Asian century. This will be so because of China's peaceful rise," he said. "In the regional and global context, we see a great role for China."

Aziz came to China for a five-day official visit aimed at promoting bilateral relations at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. This was his first visit to China as prime minister. He took his current post in August this year.

In his speech, Aziz acknowledged that China's economic rise places on it a great responsibility towards promoting a more equitable global economic order.

In pursuing trade and economic growth, China needs to be sensitive to the interests of developing countries, he said.

"China can break new ground for trade relations that would be consistent with its great moral ethos of support to the third world and developing countries," he said.

Aziz also noted that China's political strength is an assurance of stability in Asia.

"China has eschewed domination and rejected hegemony and is committed to promotion of a peaceful environment in its neighborhood," he said, citing that China's active pursuit and success in settling its borders with almost all its neighbors.

In addition, he said, China's weight and the respect it enjoys have been critical for initiating the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue and averting a crisis.

Speaking of the relationship between Pakistan and China, Aziz said Pakistan views China as a strategic ally and good friend. "We in Pakistan take great pride in the close friendship and cooperation that our two countries have maintained for over half a century, in spite of the changing regional and international environment."

"Our friendly relations have been correctly described as 'all-weather' and 'time-tested' and 'a model of good neighborliness,'" he said. "Long live the Pakistan-China friendship."