Visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday spoke highly of the friendship between Pakistan and China, saying it was "deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountain."

The relationship was very "broad-based" and would keep rising as time passes, he said.

Musharraf made the remarks in his speech titled "Reflections on Contemporary Issues on Peace, Security & Development," delivered at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China's think tank, in Beijing.

In his speech and during his interaction with Chinese officials and scholars present, Musharraf elaborated on three broad headings, namely, personal assessment of global environment, regional issues and Pakistan's policy priorities.

Musharraf also expressed his optimism about and determination to boost the Pakistan-China relations.

"I have a desire to strengthen relations in all fields and take them to a new height," he said.

"Leaders may come and go, governments may come and go, but when the people have relationships, our friendship will keep prospering."

Speaking of the international situation, Musharraf said that the world has tremendous challenges, but at the same time there are an equal number of opportunities available.

"It now depends on the leadership of the world to meet the challenges and take the world on the side of the opportunities," he said.

According to the president, the world is faced with four dangers, namely, unresolved political disputes and conflicts, terrorism and extremism, the resurfacing of political and cultural prejudices, and inequality between countries and within countries.

To safeguard world peace, all countries should uphold the principles of the UN Charter, resolve all long-standing political disputes with justice, and combat terrorism and extremism collectively, he added.

The root cause of terrorism and extremism was unresolved political disputes, poverty and lack of education, he said.

All countries should respect each other's values, cultures and beliefs so that all religions could live together harmoniously, he added.

About 200 officials and scholars including Chen Kuiyuan, president of the CASS, were present for the presidential lecture.

Musharraf arrived in Beijing on Feb. 19, unveiling a series of events marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations.

Source: Xinhua