Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) is welcomed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf upon his arrival in Islamabad, Pakistan for a state visit to Pakistan intended to forge closer ties between China and Pakistan, yesterday. -Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Islamabad yesterday for a state visit to Pakistan intended to forge closer ties between China and Pakistan.

In a written statement delivered upon arrival at the airport, Hu said China and Pakistan were good neighbors, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers.

Since the forging of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, thanks to the concerted efforts of the two governments and peoples, China and Pakistan had fostered an all-weather friendship and enjoyed comprehensive cooperation, said Hu.

As history had shown, Hu said, the China-Pakistan friendship met the fundamental interests and shared aspirations of the two countries and peoples and contributed to peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

His visit was to deepen friendship, expand cooperation and plan for the future of a bilateral relationship, Hu said, adding that he looked forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and other Pakistani leaders on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Hu will also meet public representatives of Pakistan during the visit.

He expressed his belief that this visit would consolidate the China-Pakistan traditional friendship and usher in a new age of China-Pakistan relations.

China-Pakistan trade volume exceeded four billion U.S. dollars last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 39 percent.

Pakistan is the last leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam, Laos and India.

He also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 17 to 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.