President Dr Arif Alvi on December 27 said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had helped further expanding and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. 

He expressed these views while talking to Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The president said under CPEC, a network of roads had been laid across the country whereas infrastructure projects of strategic importance were also included in the mega project. 

Terming China as Pakistan's brotherly country and a permanent strategic partner, he said the bilateral ties between Pakistan and China were of special importance. 

China is the largest trading partner of Pakistan and is an important source of Foreign Direct Investment in the country, President Alvi remarked. 

Further, he pointed out that the cultural and educational exchanges were important for strong friendship of the two countries. 

Congratulating the recently appointed ambassador to China, he hoped that the strategic partnership with China would further strengthen in future. 

The president directed the ambassador to further deepen the trade, economic and cultural relations with China. Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on December 26 said Pakistan was committed to taking its relationship with China to new heights of cooperation and solidarity. PM Kakar expressed these views as the country's ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi called on him here at the PM's Office. 

The prime minister expressed confidence that Ambassador Hashmi, who recently assumed his responsibilities in Beijing, would play his role in further strengthening ties between Pakistan and China.