The strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan has developed rapidly, which is safeguarding the common interests of the two sides, promote regional peace and stability, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing on Sunday.

During a meeting with visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Wen said China will actively participate in the infrastructure construction in Pakistan and encourage Chinese business to invest in the country in order to realize the sustainable development of cooperation.

The two countries will also strengthen youth exchanges so as to pass the friendship from generation to generation, Wen said.

In response, Musharraf said the Pakistani government and its people had strong wish to consolidate and develop friendship between the two countries.

He noted that Pakistan will continue to maintain close high-level exchanges, advance bilateral free trade, so as to realize the bilateral trade volume amounting to 15 billion U.S. dollars by 2011.

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo also met with Musharraf on Sunday.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), spoke highly of China-Pakistan traditional friendship and strategic cooperation, expressing appreciation for Pakistani firm support for the Beijing Olympic Games, for Chinese government's stand on recent Tibet riots and measures adopted to safeguard social stability and the interests of people in accordance with law.

China is also ready to enhance exchanges between governments, legislatures and parties with Pakistan.

Musharraf said Pakistan is willing to deepen cooperation with China in the areas of politics, trade and security.

He reiterated that his country opposes any behavior which undermine Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity and strongly condemns any attempt to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Games.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee said in his talks with Musharraf on Sunday that China attached importance to the bilateral ties from strategic height and long-term point of view and China is ready to join hands with Pakistan to boost mutually beneficial cooperation and push forward bilateral relations.

Jia also voiced his hope to cement exchanges and cooperation between the CPPCC and the Senate of Pakistan.

Pakistan and China shared common views on many major issues, said Musharraf, adding that his country is ready to increase exchanges and cooperation with China at all levels including the CPPCC and the Pakistani Senate.

Pakistan believes China will host a successful Olympic Games, he added.

Musharraf attended this year's annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province.

He will leave Beijing for a visit to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2008)