Chinese President Hu Jintao(C) waves hands during the welcome reception hosted by the government of Punjab province and Lahore city concil in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov.25, 2006. -Xinhua

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao addressed the general public in Lahore Saturday afternoon, speaking highly of Sino-Pakistani friendship and cooperation.

Hu, who arrived here at noon from Pakistan's capital city Islamabad, said at a reception here in Shalimar Garden that Sino-Pakistani friendship conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples and is conducive to the promotion of regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.

He said bilateral friendship boasts a firm political basis and a basis based on the general public, and it has helped promote bilateral all-dimensional cooperation of mutual benefit.

He said the Chinese government encourages Chinese investment in Lahore, an important industrial base of Pakistan.

He said he hoped that the two peoples will join hands in strengthening bilateral friendship and creating a better future.

He is scheduled to attend an inauguration ceremony of Pakistan Haier-Ruba Economic Zone that is a joint venture of the two sides Sunday.

Hu started the four-day state visit Thursday as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's guest.

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.