Visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made a speech Thursday in China's Peking University, calling for promoting Pakistan-China relations to greater heights.

Gilani said the two countries' all-weather friendship and strategic cooperative partnership has stood the test of time and the changes in the international and regional situation. "We have stood by each other at all times and under all circumstances." He said.

During his speech, Gilani expressed his gratefulness for the unstinted support and solidarity shown by people and government of China towards Pakistan. He said that during the 2005 earthquake and unprecedented floods last year, Chinese friends came forward to assist Pakistan with true sentiments of solidarity and humanity.

He pointed out that it is important for both sides to ensure that the shining torch of this most prized relationship is carried on from generation to generation. He believed that the scholars, researchers and students of the two countries have a special role to play in this regard.

He suggested that Peking University should carry out more cooperation with Pakistan universities and academia in various fields, saying it would also be extremely useful if studies are commissioned under the PhD. programs to not only research the contemporary history but also to rediscover the roots of our civilizational interactions spanning several millenniums.

He said the invitation from Peking University itself indeed demonstrates the two countries' shared resolve to utilize the talent of young men and women for taking the friendship to ever greater heights.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2011)