Li's visit opens new chapter in China-Pakistan relations(2)

On aviation and aerospace, the two sides signed an agreement on cooperation on the Beidou Satellite Navigation System (BDS) in Pakistan, making Pakistan the first country in the world to sign an official cooperation agreement on the BDS.

"Both China and Pakistan have extensive demands for the application of the BDS, and both sides are willing to cooperate with each other, so the cooperation prospect is broad," Ran Chengqi, director of China's Satellite Navigation System Management Office, told Xinhua on Thursday.

The two sides also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of maritime security, search, rescue and disaster relief at sea, maritime scientific research and environmental protection, according to the statement.

NEW MEASURES TO EXPAND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

Chinese netizens refer to Pakistan as Iron Pak, meaning that the Chinese people view Pakistan as a trustworthy friend and the friendship is as solid as iron, Li said in a speech at the Pakistani parliament.

Although their "all-weather" friendship has strong public support, Li called on the two countries to further expand their people-to-people and cultural exchanges as they are the solid foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

The two sides also agreed on a series of measures to step up people-to-people exchanges, including expanding Chinese language training in Pakistan, opening more Confucius Institutes in the country, and designating 2015 as China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges.

During Li's visit, the Chinese premier planted a friendship tree together with Khoso and held talks with Pakistani friends who had made contributions to developing bilateral ties.

Li arrived here on Wednesday at the invitation of the Pakistani government following a trip to India. He wrapped up his visit to Pakistan and flew to Switzerland on Thursday. Li's four-nation maiden overseas trip will also take him to Germany.