Over the past 55 years, the two countries have built many large projects together, including the Pakistan Heavy Electrical Complex completed in the 1960s, the Karakorum Highway constructed in the 1970s, the Muzaffargarh power plant that went into operation in the 1980s, the Chashma nuclear power plant completed in the 1990s, and the Gwadar Port project completed not long ago.

    These have not only witnessed both countries' deep-rooted traditional friendship, but also become vivid symbols of their deepened and strengthened cooperation.

    In the past 10 years, the scope of Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation continued to expand and now covers various fields such as hydroelectricity, electricity, transportation, telecommunications, energy, resource exploration, home appliances, textiles, construction and agriculture.

    Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation includes continuously growing imports and exports and expanding economic and technological cooperation. The Chinese government has always been extending assistance to Pakistan at its best capacity. And what's more, both countries have invested in each other's state-run and private sectors.

    Recently, in accordance with the principle of mutual benefit, win-win and common development, China and Pakistan have taken a series of strategic measures. They signed an Early Harvest accord on their free trade agreement in 2005, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2006.

    In 2006, the two countries signed a framework agreement on expanding and deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

    During President Hu's four-day state visit to Pakistan, China is expected to sign unprecedented agreements with the South Asian country, reliable sources have told Xinhua.

    A five-year development program for Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation will be the first-ever agreement for China to sign with another country, according to the sources.

    The sources said Hu and his Pakistani counterpart, Pervez Musharraf, will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Haier-Ruba economic zone in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, the first of the eight economic zones to be established outside China and mainly managed by Chinese companies.

    The above-mentioned achievements are major breakthroughs by both China and Pakistan in seeking new modes and approaches in their economic and trade cooperation, the sources noted.

    As announced by the Chinese government, China and Pakistan will sign other agreements in areas such as trade, culture and education during Hu's visit, the first to Pakistan by a Chinese head of state in a decade.

    During the upcoming visit, Hu will hold talks with Musharraf and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. He is also expected to meet business circles, students and other friendly groups in Pakistan, and give an important address on Sino-Pakistani relations.