SHANGHAI, Feb 23: President Asif Ali Zardari says the world is facing challenges from non-state actors who are bent upon damaging global peace.

Addressing a gathering organised by local think tanks on Monday, the president said these elements who had emerged as a new phenomenon had nothing to lose but everything to damage.

“We are not threatened by nations but by non-state actors.”

Pakistan, he said, had been at the forefront of several international conflicts and managed to survive as a nation.

He said Pakistan and China had worked closely on security matters and international affairs. Pakistan had always supported Beijing at all international forums on various issues, he added.

“We will always be friends for a better today and a better tomorrow.”

President Zardari lauded China’s phenomenal progress in all spheres of life, especially science and technology, and said: “We bask in your glory and the government and people of Pakistan are proud of success of China.”

He said the two countries should take their cordial ties to new heights.

Representatives from the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Fudan University said Pakistan had played a positive role in the war against terrorism and extremism.

They stressed the need for increasing interaction between teachers, students, educational institutions and think tanks of the two countries.