The ancient Chinese curse "may you live in interesting times" could perhaps never have been more relevant than to our times. Indeed, in our own lifetime, we are passing through interesting times which are also difficult and critical times. Today, regrettably, not only the world is going through a most turbulent period of its history but we in Pakistan are also mired in one of the most serious crises of our history. The perilous situation at the global level is the product of the post-Cold War new unipolarity which has virtually turned the world upside down. The events of the last five years in particular have immeasurably shaken the international system which is no longer governed by the rule of law or universally established norms. In Pakistan, our problems are rooted in our own domestic failures which have also seriously limited our foreign policy options. Decades of political instability resulting from protracted military rule, institutional paralysis, poor governance, socio-economic malaise, rampant crime and corruption, and general aversion to the rule of law have not only crippled Pakistan domestically in socio-political and economic terms but also weakened its external image and standing. Terrorism is our sole identity now. Our problems are further complicated by the complex regional configuration with Americans sitting in Afghanistan, new Indo-US nexus deepening in the region, and India's unprecedented influence in Afghanistan increasing with serious nuisance potential against Pakistan. We are being destabilized methodically through Pakistan's ubiquitous engagement on multiple external as well as domestic fronts. Pakistan is the only Muslim country with an ongoing military operation against its own people. It is against this grim backdrop that President Zardari's visit to China is being given special attention in our country. With virtually no response from the elusive "Friends" of Pakistan in New York to our pathetic supplications for "emergency" economic aid, somehow our people in their naivety have been led to believe as if Zardari's Beijing visit would bring them a large chunk of "cash" form China's huge foreign exchange reserves now totalling nearly $2 trillion. How expectant we mostly are. Pakistan's cash expectancy, as quantified by our president at the New York meeting of the "Friends of Pakistan" last month stands at no less than $100 billion. Our immediate need is said to be $3 to 4 billion in the next quarter and $7 to 10 billion over the next year. In Washington, at the annual World Bank-IMF session, the IFIs are said to be working on a short-to- medium term package of about $4 billion to help Pakistan avert a default on its loans. In these "interesting" times, "interestingly" we are also looking towards China as the last ray of hope in our moment of "supreme" economic despondency. President Zardari's visit to China was timely and will not be without significant relief. But let us be realistic. Let us not embarrass China, our time-tested friend which has traditionally stood with us in times of need. But we need to understand that "cash handouts" are not China's favoured mechanism to shore up its beleaguered friends and allies. Whatever it does for Pakistan will be a "special" gesture with no parallel with any other country. China is the only country which has helped us in real terms. It has been Pakistan's steadfast partner not only in its economic development but also in contributing to regional peace and security. It has contributed significantly to Pakistan's security and economic self-reliance. This is evident from the manifold continued expansion in our relationship which has been reinforced with a strategic dimension binding us even more closely. This exemplary relationship has over the years grown in its dimension and scope. It is not based on expediencies or transient interests, and is above personalities, parties or government, and is never affected by any changes in domestic or international situation. The unique feature of this relationship is the complete trust and confidence between the two countries which evokes spontaneous goodwill and support between their peoples. It is a "people-to-people" relationship. A tradition of regular high-level exchanges and regular governmental contacts helps them keep their relationship strong and enduring with ever-growing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including the fields of economy, trade, investment, science and technology, energy, communication infrastructure, education, defence and security. Economic cooperation is indeed the bedrock of this multidimensional relationship. From Karakoram Highway reviving and revitalizing the old silk-route to the newly completed Gwadar port a whole string of industrial plants, factories, electrical and mechanical complexes, power producing units including nuclear power plants and hydroelectric projects stand testimony to Pakistan-China cooperation and China's vital contribution to the economic development of our country. In keeping with the spirit and tradition of this relationship, the two countries signed 12 agreements in Beijing during President Zardari's just concluded visit to accelerate the implementation of the existing framework of multidimensional cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure, information technology, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology. All these agreements are basically the offshoot of an already existing comprehensive cooperative framework between the two countries. President Hu Jintao's visit to Pakistan in November 2006, had laid the foundation of this bilateral cooperative relationship. Nearly 30 groundbreaking agreements and MoUs were signed during that epoch-making visit with special focus on expanded economic cooperation involving a six billion dollar Chinese investment package for numerous joint venture projects in different areas. The principal agreements signed during Hu Jintao's visit notably included a free trade agreement, five-year development programme on trade and economic cooperation, an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, establishment of a joint investment company, construction of schools and hospitals in earthquake-affected areas, up gradation of Karakoram Highway and establishment of a China-Pakistan Friendship Centre in Islamabad. A significant area of ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and China has been the harnessing of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under international safeguards for the production of electricity. The Chashma-I and II power plants, both of 300 mw each are a symbol of this peaceful cooperation. Both sides have agreed to continue further expansion and strengthening of this cooperation within the existing framework on peaceful nuclear cooperation in the form of at least six new nuclear power plants in the coming decades. Both countries are also agreed on exploring the feasibility of constructing an oil pipeline from the port of Gwadar up to Western China shortening the distance and time for oil transportation from the Persian Gulf to China. To facilitate its oil imports from this region, China might also set up a mega-refinery at Gwadar. Specific joint production projects such as the JF-17 fighter aircraft, FC-20 aircraft, F-22P Frigates and Al-Khalid and Zarar tanks are some of the tangible outputs of this cooperative relationship which also includes increasing cooperation in the field of defence-related research and development. By all accounts, Pakistan's friendship with China is a model relationship underpinned by mutual trust and confidence, and sustained by commonality of interest on regional and global issues. Mutual support and cooperation, convergence of strategic interests and common perceptions give a special depth to this relationship. A strong strategic dimension of their partnership serves their mutual interest and also ensures stability and security of our region. Given their common concerns and shared interests in the fast changing scenario, both countries will have to explore new avenues of reinforcing their long-standing strategic relationship through further expansion in their multi-dimensional bilateral collaboration, including in areas of high-tech heavy industry and energy sector as well as in developing communication and energy infrastructure. China must also uphold Pakistan's legitimate concerns on the discriminatory nature of the Indo-US nuclear deal, and plead our case in the Nuclear Suppliers Group for a non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach in nuclear cooperation with international community to meet our legitimate energy needs. The writer is a former foreign secretary and senior political analyst