President Zardari wishes Xi Jinping a happy Chinese New Year.

President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the commitment to bolstering the “iron-clad friendship” between Pakistan and China on Wednesday, extending greetings of Chinese New Year and Spring Festival to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In an introductory letter to his Chinese colleague, the president expressed his eagerness to talk with him in Beijing about ways to strengthen their relationship and bilateral cooperation.

As a key element of Pakistan’s foreign policy, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for the One China Policy.

China and Pakistan have a long-standing and strategic cooperative relationship, according to President Zardari. He noted that the steadfast efforts of the leaders of both nations fostered and reinforced this exceptional and unique bilateral relationship.

He acknowledged China’s impressive accomplishments in a number of areas last year and commended President Xi Jinping for his visionary leadership in advancing Pakistan-China relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He also conveyed his desire for the Chinese people’s sustained progress and prosperity and wished President Xi Jinping good health.

The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, began on January 29 of this year. It commemorates the start of a new year on the ancient lunisolar Chinese calendar, which signifies the end of winter and the arrival of spring.