Qureshi stresses 'vitality and depth' of Pak-China ties.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday underscored the 'vitality and depth' of Pak-China bilateral ties and said that 'strategic and political cooperation' between the two countries had gone from strength to strength.

He was speaking at a virtual ceremony held to launch commemorative ceremonies for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Pak-China diplomatic ties. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi joined the event from Beijing.

The two countries had established their ties in May 1951 after People's Republic of China was established on Oct 1, 1949. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise China.

Mr Qureshi expressed the hope that the expected visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan this year would help in further elevating the relationship.

Expresses hope the expected visit of Chinese president this year will improve relations further

The relationship in its early part was focused on political and defence issues; however, since 1999 and more particularly after the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the economic element of the ties has got special attention. The bilateral economic ties now...