President Hu Jintao yesterday sent a message to President Musharraf, congratulating him on his re-election as Pakistan's president.
In the message, Hu said that China and Pakistan have always respected, understood, trusted and supported each other since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago.
He said Pakistan is China's good friend, neighbor, partner and brother all in one, adding that the two countries have forged all-weather friendship and all-round cooperation.
"President Musharraf is deeply committed to further strengthening the 'time-tested' bonds of friendship and comprehensive partnership between our two countries," Salman Bashir, Pakistani ambassador to China, told China Daily.
"We deeply value China's constant and resolute support to Pakistan and in particular the great interest that the Chinese leadership and government has always taken in ensuring socio-economic progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan," Bashir said.
Musharraf's taking off his military uniform and his re-election mean at least a break from the long-running domestic political turmoil, said Fu Xiaoqiang, an expert of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
Currently, all parties are eying the coming parliamentary election, which will be held in January, Fu said.
"As the election approaches, there will be a new round of political maneuvers among different parties," he said.
"Without his uniform on, Musharraf still enjoys a strong support in the military" as many military officers, including new army chief Kayani, were promoted during his eight-year commandership, Fu said.
However, a break doesn't necessarily mean the end of political turmoil. Terrorist or extremist forces still have a potential to interrupt the normal life of Pakistani people as well as political planning of government officials, he said.
"Another problem that Musharraf's new government has to deal with is to clean the negative political atmosphere following violent power struggle among different parties," Fu said.
Source: China Daily
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