BEIJING (Islamweb & News Agencies) - President Pervez Musharraf reassured old friend China on Thursday it was a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy as his country and arch-rival India traded fire across a cease-fire line dividing Kashmir.
Musharraf wasted no time in emphasizing that Sino-Pakistani relations remain strong despite Pakistan's commitment to the war on terrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States that drew U.S. forces into China's backyard.
As Musharraf arrived in Beijing, China called on India and Pakistan to act with restraint and resolve amid tensions arising from last week's suicide attack on India's parliament, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Kashmiri groups.
His visit, which began with a meeting with President Jiang Zemin, will focus on bolstering economic ties and the new strategic equation in Central Asia following the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
``The cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy is its close association and relationship with China,'' Musharraf said at the start of his talks with Jiang, immediately addressing Chinese concerns that Pakistan was drifting into the U.S. camp.
``China has been our trusted friend, and our relationship has remained time-tested, and we are very positive that in the future also this relationship, this strategic association and relationship will continue,'' Musharraf said.
Jiang hailed the visit as a high point in celebrations marking 50 years of Sino-Pakistani relations.
China has been a critical source of economic aid and military hardware for Pakistan and Western military sources say Islamabad's nuclear weapons were built from Chinese blueprints.