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Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his Pakistani counterpart Gen Pervez Musharraf held their maiden summit meeting in Beijing to discuss bilateral and regional issues that also covered the tense relations between India and Pakistan as well as the post-Taliban scenario in Afghanistan.
"The Chinese leaders will discuss with President Musharraf matters concerning bilateral relations, major international relations, including the Afghan question," foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told reporters ahead of the meeting.
Zhang also expressed 'serious concern' over the escalating tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the December 13 terrorist strike on the Indian Parliament.
"We strongly hope that both sides can exercise restraint, prevent further escalation of the tension in their relations, seek dialogue and consultation so as to solve the differences properly to maintain peace and stability in the region," Zhang said.
Commenting on Sino-Pakistani relations, Zhang said, "China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbours with time-honoured traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Sino-Pakistani relations have developed quickly."
Zhang also said that the state visit by President Musharraf would bring to a culmination the commemorative activities of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Pakistani diplomatic relations.
"I believe that the visit will surely promote Sino-Pakistani relations and further develop the comprehensive partnership between China and Pakistan in the new century," she said.
Earlier, Musharraf, on his first trip to China after appointing himself as the president, was received at the airport by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Quangya.
He was accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the great hall of the people.
He is accompanied by his wife and an entourage, including Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and some senior cabinet members.
Diplomatic sources said Musharraf would seek Chinese political, diplomatic, economic and military support for his regime and millions of dollars in aid to bail out Pakistan's worsening economy.
The Pakistani president is expected to renew his commitment that China would continue to enjoy the highest priority in the country's foreign policy, the sources said.
Musharraf is also expected to tell the Chinese leadership that Sino-Pak relations could not be affected by Pakistan's joining of the United States-led anti-terrorism coalition and its improved ties with the West in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
On Friday, he is scheduled to have separate meetings with the chairman of the National People's Congress Li Peng, Premier Zhu Rongji, vice president Hu Jintao, Defence Minister Gen Chi Haotian and others.
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