BEIJING, Mar. 4 (APP) - The new Chinese Ambassador-designate to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui extending greeting to the people and leadership of Pakistan on the occasion of 60th anniversary of its founding said he is delighted to assume his responsibilities on the auspicious occasion.

Pakistan is the best friend of China and I congratulate on 60th anniversary of founding of "Great Pakistan" and extend best regards on behalf of the Chinese people to the people of Pakistan, he added.

In an interview with APP, he said Pakistan and China maintain time tested all weather cooperative relations, and his priorities include to further enhance cooperation in economic, military, energy, tourism, IT sectors and boost exchange of number of delegations including media.

A career diplomat having vast experience, Luo got his first foreign posting in New Delhi and remained there for over four years (1989-93) .His second assignment in 1997 was in Washington DC and remained there for four years.

Before posting to Pakistan Luo was holding the post of Deputy Director General and Incharge of all south Asian countries that included SAARC member countries.

He said Pakistan is the only country with which China has "all weather friendship" and added that we have very fine progress on traditional and bilateral relations and cooperation on international and regional issues.

The Ambassador pointed out that the relations between the leadership of both the countries are excellent and they consult each other as a result cooperation in various fields including trade and economy is deepening, and people-to-people contacts are strengthening.

In this regard, he referred to the visit of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to China and President Hu Jintao state visit to Pakistan.

He said that the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will be visiting China in April while the foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri is due here in March.

The Ambassador said that President Hu during his stay in Pakistan signed a number of important agreements that included  Free Trade Agreement and  also inaugurated Haier-Ruba Economic Zone near Lahore.

Referring to Early Harvest Programme and FTA he said "'these are good policies to enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries".

He pointed out that there are three areas that need special attention for furthering development that include military, economic and people-to-people contact.

For the promotion of tourism and to project "Visit Pakistan 2007", the Ambassador suggested to Pakistani friends to hold tourism promotional activities in China and participate in tourism exhibitions scheduled to be held in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities this year.

The Ambassador pointed out that tourism and media play an important role for the promotion of people-to-people contacts and stressed the need for enhancing these visits.

Regarding cooperation in energy sector, ambassador Luo said we have received  a proposal for laying a pipeline along Karakoram Highway He said that his priority include to addressing  the problem of energy and find out new ways of cooperation in the economic sector.

The Ambassador said that Pakistan and China have excellent military ties and it was evident from the fact that for the first time the Chinese Naval warships are taking part in joint naval exercises being held in Pakistan.

He said we accord highest priorities for cooperation in Information Technology as this is a new field and there is lot of potential exists in it.

Referring to the recent decision of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) that approved establishment of Economic Zone at Kala Shah Kaku near Lahore for Chinese investment and announcement of special package, the Ambassador said he has noted that decision with delight and it would also be a another source of attraction for Chinese investors.

He said that it is my affection with Pakistan and its people that I will be flying to assume my new responsibilities on Pakistani flag carrier, PIA (Pakistan International Airline).

Ambassador Luo Zhaohui is due here on Monday to assume his responsibilities.