Over the years, many facts have proved that China and Pakistan are true friends and good brothers that share weal and woe.

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING, March 17 -- As more countries have come together to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, a common enemy of mankind, Pakistani President Arif Alvi has visited China for the first time since he assumed office in 2018, showing the determination of the two all-weather friends to forge a closer community with a shared future.

While Pakistani volunteers stayed in China to fight the novel coronavirus, a team of Chinese experts traveled to Pakistan to tackle a locust crisis. As Chinese President Xi Jinping told Alvi on Tuesday in Beijing, "Facts have proved once again that China and Pakistan are true friends who share weal and woe and good brothers who share each other's joys and sorrows."

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Pakistani President Arif Alvi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

FIRM SUPPORT

As Xi recalled, at the beginning of the epidemic, Alvi wrote him a letter to convey consolation, and Alvi's latest trip marks his firm support. The Pakistani side also offered everything within their capabilities to provide China with anti-epidemic materials.

In addition to the governmental support, during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, many Pakistanis have remained in China to help their "second hometown."

"I knew in my heart that I had to stay here with my Chinese brothers and sisters, because throughout my life in China, I have received a lot of love from the Chinese, and it was the first chance in my life to make a little contribution to China," said Abdul Zahir Hamad, a Pakistani who studied medicine in China and later became a professional doctor.