国内英语新闻:Pakistani media praise Chinese premier's latest visit

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's latest visit to Pakistan will further enhance the all-weather strategic relationship between the two countries, Pakistani media said Sunday.

Pakistan's media gave extensive coverage to Wen's visit. They made special reports highlighting various aspects of the China-Pakistan friendship and the assistance of both countries extended to each other in disaster management.

The strategic partnership will be advanced as a package of agreements were signed during Wen's three-day visit, the official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

"Chinese support for the youth mobilization, reconstruction plan for flood affected people and strengthening of economic ties are laudable steps which will directly benefit the people of Pakistan," Pakistani federal minister for women development Firdous Ashiq Awan told APP.

Wen's visit has opened a new chapter in bilateral ties, she added.

China extended full support to Pakistan's sovereignty, security and political integrity besides extending strong support in economic cooperation, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir was quoted as saying by local newspaper Daily Times.

Pakistan and China signed a series of agreements to cement the pragmatic economic and trade cooperation, which will take the bilateral political trust and understanding to a new high, DAWN newspaper reported.

Tariq Puri, chief executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, told DAWN that there was great scope for consolidating trade between the two countries, adding the current business summit would definitely pave the way for its increasing.

The visit of Chinese premier to Pakistan will bolster confidence in facing current challenges, international affairs experts told local media.

The visit would send a reassuring signal to Pakistan, which is surrounded by a host of problems, challenges and difficulties. Over the decades, China has been a trusted and reliable friend of Pakistan and has been always ready to help it when in need, Riffat Hussain, head of the department of Defense and Strategic Studies of the Quaid-e-Azam University was quoted as saying by APP.

Premier Wen left Islamabad for home on Sunday after rounding off the three-day visit to Pakistan.