I am immensely pleased to learn that China-Tibet Mountaineering Team has recently established a world record of climbing all the 14 peaks in the world rising above 8000 metres. I learn this achievement occurred on 12th July, when seven China-Tibet climbers accompanied by the Pakistani climbers jointly climbed the 8068 metres high Gasherbrum-I of Pakistan. This unprecedented success of the Chinese team, attained after 14 years of mountaineering struggle, eloquently reflects their grim determination, unmatched physical strength and unwavering dedication.

This remarkable mountaineering accomplishment has brought great laurels and honors to the People's Republic of China, adding another feather in its achievements, especially as China prepares to host the International Olympics in 2008. Pakistan feels proud over this accomplishment by our Chinese friends.

It is also gratifying to remember the close cooperation that exists between mountaineering communities of our both countries i.e. China Tibet Mountaineering Association and Alpine Club of Pakistan, in achieving the mountaineering objectives since 1995. Joint climbing of summits of all five eight thousand metres peaks of Karakoram and Himalayas in Pakistan by our joint team of mountaineers surely highlights the close friendship that exists between our two nations. This cooperation has deepened the existing close people to people level contacts between our two countries and gives practical expression to the description of Pakistan-China relations being higher than the highest mountains.

Please accept heartiest congratulations from people of Pakistan, the government of Pakistan and myself on this high achievement. I look forward to further improvement and strengthening of the cooperation between the mountaineering communities of our both the countries, in particular and the people in general, in times to come.

(Shaukat Aziz)

Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan