Islamabad, May 21 :

Pakistan and China are expected to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year to further boost their bilateral trade relations.

Chinese president Hu Jintao, in his message to president Pervez Musharraf yesterday on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reaffirmed Chna’s desire to strengthen ties for a better future of the people.

Hu said the two countries have carried forward their partnership on the basis of peaceful coexistence, which have brought tangible benefits to their people.

In a message to prime minister Shaukat Aziz, his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao said China-Pakistan relations have withstood the tests of internationally changing situations and “become a model of living in amity among countries”.