ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao will begin a milestone visit to Pakistan on Thursday, in a move that is bound to further promote bilateral cooperation in various fields and give new impetus to the development of Sino-Pakistani friendship.

    This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, close neighbors linked by mountains and rivers with their friendly exchanges dating back to ancient times.

    Over the past 55 years, generations of leaders from the two sides have devoted a great deal of time and energy to fostering and developing the bilateral friendly ties.

    The Sino-Pakistani good-neighborly and friendly relations have continued to grow stronger and achieved fruitful results from mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields. The two countries have established an "all-weather" friendship and their relationship has always been hailed as a good example of peaceful coexistence between countries with different social systems.

    China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends and good partners as well. To forge a long-standing, stable strategic cooperative partnership is not only in the common interests of the two countries, but also conducive to peace and prosperity in the region.

    The Chinese and Pakistani peoples have always shown support and sympathy for each other. Pakistan has always given support to China at the international stage and on issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

    Besides, the South Asian country has also given strong support and help and always cooperated with China in the fight against terrorism, splittism and extremism.

    After the South Asia earthquake in October 2005, the Chinese government and people immediately provided much needed goods and funds to Pakistanis in quake-hit areas and fulfilled their promises in the shortest possible time, which are the embodiment of friendship between the two governments and peoples.