On the afternoon of March 25, 2003, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali at the Great Hall of the People. They had a friendly conversation.

Hu said that 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Pakistan witnessed the creation and development of the good-neighborly and friendly relations featuring equality, amity, mutual trust and benefit. This relationship stood the test of time and history, and has become an example of friendly cooperation for countries with different social systems and cultural background. He thanked Pakistan for its firm support on such issues as Taiwan. He said China had always regarded Pakistan as a trustworthy, reliable friend and partner. Hu expressed the belief that the all-round cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan will achieve greater progress in the new century.

Hu said the Chinese government would maintain the continuity and stability of its domestic and foreign policies. China would concentrate on construction and development, continue to pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, be a friend and partner to its neighbors and strengthen and expand cooperative and friendly relations with its neighbors.

On the Iraq issue, Hu said the Chinese government had always insisted on a political solution within the framework of the United Nations and made unremitting efforts to this end. It was regrettable that war had broken out and China was deeply worried about the humanitarian disaster and impact on regional and global peace, stability and development that it would cause. Peace was the common aspiration of people around the world. China called for the countries involved to stop military actions as soon as possible and return to the correct path of solving the Iraq issue by political means. The Chinese government had already sent and would continue to offer humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people suffering from war.

Jamali conveyed to Chinese leaders the congratulations and greetings from Pakistan President Pervez Musharaf and the Pakistani people. Jamali said the solid friendship between the two countries had withstood the test of history and international turbulence, noting that Pakistan had always cherished sound cooperative relations with China and would always support China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue. He said that the all-round cooperation between the two countries conformed to the interests of the two peoples, noting that he had held fruitful talks with Premier Wen Jiabao and the two countries signed important agreements on enhancing bilateral economic and cultural relations. He believed that his visit would bring new opportunities of further cooperation between the two countries.

Jamali appreciated China's stance on the Iraq issue, saying the peace-loving Pakistani people called for settlement of international disputes through dialogue.