From fighting natural disasters to countering terrorism and separatism, China and Pakistan stand beside each other

As decades-long close friends and neighbors, China and Pakistan have always lent a helping hand to each other, especially in times of need.

This year has been no exception. When Pakistan was devastated by one of the worst floods in its history earlier this year, China offered about $250 million worth in aid to it. As part of the aid, China sent a team of experts to Pakistan in November to help the country expedite its reconstruction work.

China pledged the aid to Pakistan when it itself needed financial and human resources to recover from a series of natural disasters. The aid to Pakistan has created many records in the history of China's aid to and relief work in other countries.

It is the largest aid given to a country. China sent a medical relief team abroad for the first time. It was the first use of a Chinese helicopter for relief work abroad. And it was the first time that China organized a fleet of vehicles to travel through land to another country for relief work.

The Chinese government has promised as much aid as possible to Pakistan to help it expedite its post-disaster reconstruction. It has urged Chinese companies, too, to help Pakistan with its reconstruction work. The hardworking and courageous people of Pakistan, under the leadership of their government and with international support, have overcome a lot of difficulties on their way to rebuilding their homes and lives.

The experience of enduring similar hardships has helped China and Pakistan develop mutual understanding and mutual trust. As a result of their long-lasting friendship, they have mutual sympathy and enjoy mutual support.

When the catastrophic Wenchuan earthquake struck in May 2008, the heads of Pakistani state and government visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad in person to express their condolences. Pakistan was also one of the first foreign countries to offer China help.

To help the Chinese government fight the severe floods sweeping across the southern parts of the country in summer last year, the Pakistani government mobilized all its transport planes and reserve tents for use in China. Such selfless acts have made Chinese people feel proud of their friendship with Pakistani people.

China and Pakistan have supported each other for a long time without any precondition or any intention of gaining something in return.

It has been China's consistent stance to support Pakistan to maintain its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. China is also supportive of Pakistan's big role in promoting regional peace and fighting terrorism.

Similarly, Pakistan regards its ties with China to be the cornerstone of its foreign policy. It has unwaveringly adhered to the one-China policy and supported China's peaceful reunification efforts. It has always supported China on issues of Beijing's core interests.

Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 59 years ago, China and Pakistan have maintained a peaceful and friendly atmosphere along their border, which has become the most secure boundary for the two countries.

Pakistan has consistently extended support to China in its fight against the "East Turkistan" terrorist organization, too. The Pakistani military dealt a deadly blow to "East Turkistan" separatist forces and their leading members after the collapse of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the umbrella organization of the "East Turkistan" faction in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

On the international stage, Pakistan has stood steadfastly by China's side on issues of Taiwan, the Tibet autonomous region, Xinjiang and human rights, as well as in China's battle against terrorism, separatism and extremism, the so-called three evil forces. Islamabad's staunch support and help to Beijing to protect its core national interests have helped consolidate their decades-long friendship.

Now, Premier Wen Jiabao's ongoing visit to Pakistan is expected to take the two countries' friendship and bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to higher levels.

The author is director of the Pakistan Study Center, Fudan University, Shanghai.