BEIJING - China and Pakistan held a seminar on bilateral relations in Beijing on Wednesday to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The seminar, sponsored mainly by key think tanks from the two countries, namely the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), reviewed the history of bilateral friendship and highlighted common concerns over a number of key issues such as security in South Asia, the Middle East situation, US foreign policy, counter-terrorism coordination, the Iranian nuclear issue and the comprehensive cooperation between developing countries and close neighbors.

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said the friendship between China and Pakistan has stood firm over the past 55 years. Mutual understanding, trust and support have made the two neighbors reliable strategic partners.

Li also mentioned that the Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Pakistan in two months, but he did not give more details on the visit.

Pakistan is among the earliest countries that recognized the People's Republic of China since its founding on October 1, 1949. The two countries have always been friendly and supportive toward each other in political, economic and cultural fields.

Recent years have seen frequent exchanges of high-level visits. In 2005, the two signed a treaty on friendship, cooperation and good neighborly relations during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo's visit to Pakistan. In 2006, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited China in February and June.