Islamabad: Pakistan and China today signed an agreement to set up a task force to strengthen the security of Chinese nationals living in the Islamic country.

Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah and Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui signed the agreement in a meeting here that was also attended by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Assistant Foreign Minister of China Cui Tiankai.

"The agreement brought the two countries closer. It has cemented the ties and will ensure the security of the Chinese nationals living in Pakistan," Sherpao said. "China is our best friend and helping us in various fields. It is tolerant to us though there have been certain sad incidents in the past," he said. He said the two sides have been able to resolve most of the issues including the recent abduct of Chinese nationals and Pakistan will ensure that no such incident would occur in future.

"The agreement would give us a leverage for a quick response on any such security issues which crops up and where the lives of the Chinese nationals are in danger."

The Assistant Foreign Minister of China Cui Tiankai said the agreement aims at further strengthening the all weather strategic partnership between the two countries. He lauded the "tremendous" efforts by Pakistan to protect Chinese nationals in that country.

The task force will meet every month and discuss ways to heighten security especially to Chinese nationals in Pakistan. The task force will also review probes into cases relating to Chinese nationals.