ISLAMABAD (DAWN) Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri at a reception on Friday said the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan had stood test of the time.

The reception was held by the Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the foundation of People's Republic of China.

The foreign minister congratulated the people of China on their national day and hoped that they will achieve new heights in their struggle to uphold their status as a strong economic power not only in the region, but the world over.

Referring to the Sino-Pakistan growing relationship, he said the two sides maintained close interaction to adopt a common position on regional and international issues.

Prominent personalities including Senate Chairman Muhammad Mian Soomro, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, besides Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan ul Haq attended the reception.

The National Day of China falls on October 1st, however the Chinese Embassy hosts the reception a day or two earlier as it is a tradition that the Chinese people enjoy weeklong holidays to mark their National Day and the holidays begin by October 1st.

Talking to APP, Senate Chairman lauded the evergreen Sino-Pak strategic partnership and said "it meets the common aspiration of their people".

He said the government and the people of Pakistan attached great attachment to their relationship with China and wished to deepen it in all spheres of life.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also congratulated the Chinese people on their national day, stating their achievements in various sectors are also a matter of pride for the Pakistani nation. "We are looking forward working together to meet the future challenges in socio-economic field and improve the living conditions of their people," he added.

The Chinese Ambassador reciprocated the friendly sentiments of their Pakistani friends.

ADDS: The Chinese Students Union at the International Islamic University (IIU) observed China's National Day here on Friday.

Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui was the chief guest on the occasion. He said relations between China and Pakistan were exemplary and beyond any doubt.

"The Chinese people are proud of their Pakistani friends and they wish speedy progress of Pakistan in all spheres of life," he said.

Ambassador Luo invited Pakistani students to China for studies. He thanked the students and faculty members of the IIU for hosting over three hundred Chinese students.