China defends Pak terror fight,Gilani praises best friend

Facing flak from long time ally US over the Osama debacle,Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called China his countrys best and most trusted friend.

Facing flak from long time ally US over the Osama debacle,Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday called China his countrys best and most trusted friend while Beijing threw its weight behind its ally,unswervingly backing its counter terrorism efforts.

Gilani,who arrived in China on a four-day visit on Tuesday,told the Chinese official media that Beijing had stood by Islamabad in most difficult times and was undoubtedly Pakistans best friend.

To test a friend whether true or not,it needs time and means under crisis,we appreciate that in all difficult circumstances China stood with Pakistan,therefore we call China a true and a time-tested and all-weather friend, Gilani told Chinese media before leaving Islamabad. We are proud to have China as our best and most trusted friend and China will always find Pakistan standing beside it at all times, Gilani,who is scheduled to hold talks with top Chinese leaders,said.

He said China was the first country to show its support and solidarity with Pakistan in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces in Abbottabad.

As Gilani arrived Shanghai,China reciprocated the warm sentiments by calling Pakistan a victim of terrorism and applauding its battle against terrorism. Pakistan has made very important contribution to international counter terrorism cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson,Jiang Yu said replying to a question here on tensions between US and Pakistan after the raid.