There is something not quite right about an interstate bilateral relationship when words such as "higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, stronger than steel, dearer than eyesight and sweeter than honey" are used repeatedly to describe it.

No other relationship depends so much on flowery language to underscore its significance as does the one between China and Pakistan.

Much like his predecessors in recent times, Nawaz Sharif in early July made his maiden trip as Pakistan's prime minister to China where, at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, he said his welcome reminded him of the words "our friendship is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the deepest sea in the world, and sweeter than honey."