Premier Wen Jiabao starts a three-day official visit to Pakistan on Tuesday with an aim to further strengthen the time-tested friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. 

The following are major events during the development of the bilateral ties.

On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan established their diplomatic relations. Since then, the two countries have witnessed smooth development of friendly and neighborly relations.

In April 1955, the late Premier Zhou Enlai held talks with then Pakistani Prime Minister M. Ali during the Bandung Conference, and both sides agreed that bilateral ties should be strengthened.

In October 1956, at the invitation of the Chinese government, the then Pakistani Prime Minister H.E. Sulawadi paid an official visit to China. In December 1956, the late Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan.

In January 1963, China and Pakistan signed their fist trade agreement.

In March 1963, the two countries signed a boundary agreement on China's Xinjiang and the adjacent areas whose defense is under the actual control of Pakistan.

In February 1964, the late Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan and in December the then Pakistani President Ayub Khan visited China.

In November 1970, the then Pakistan President Yahay Khan visited China.

In May 1980, the then Pakistani President Zia-ul Huq visited China.

In October 1982, The China-Pakistan Joint Committee of Economy, Trade and Technology was set up.

In February 1989, the then Pakistani Prime Minister B. Bhutto visited China, and in November former Premier Li Peng visited Pakistan.

In December 1996, former President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Pakistan, during which the two countries decided to establish a comprehensive partnership.

In May 2001, former Premier Zhu Rongji visited Pakistan and in December Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf paid a state visit to China.

In May 2003, the then Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali paid an official visit to China.

In November 2003, President Hu Jintao held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Beijing.

In December 2004, President Hu Jintao met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Beijing.   

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2005)