Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for further cooperation between China and Pakistan in talks with his Pakistani counterpart.

"China would like to work with Pakistan to intensify the exchanges among top leaders," Hu told the visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, adding the close contact and communication on issues of common concern will safeguard sound political relations.

Calling for the deepening of the mutually beneficial cooperation, Hu said the two sides should carry out the ongoing projects and expand collaboration in fields such as energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure.

The two sides should follow "the early harvest program" on the Pakistan-China free trade area and quicken up the negotiation process so as to set up the free trade area as soon as possible, Hu said.

Hu also voiced China's support for the rebuilding of the earthquake-hit area in Pakistan, including helping Pakistan improve highway conditions and establish an earthquake monitoring network.

China and Pakistan should step up cooperation on security and jointly crack down on the "three forces" - terrorism, separatism, extremism, he said.

Hu also called for the two countries to further work together on bilateral issues, including education, culture, science, human resources, and multilateral issues, including United Nations reform, regional cooperation and anti-terrorism.

Musharraf's visit coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbors. He will unveil a series of commemorative events in Beijing apart from meeting with senior Chinese leaders.

He will also visit Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the hometown of giant pandas, before he wraps up the five-day visit on Thursday.