Islamabad, May 19 (IANS) China has told the US to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and understand its problems, it was reported here.

Dawn reported that during a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday in Beijing, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said he had taken up the issue with US officials at a recent strategic and economic dialogue in Washington.

Gilani began a four-day official visit to China Tuesday. The trip comes amid strained ties between the US and Pakistan after Osama bin Laden was shot dead May 2 by US Navy SEALs in Pakistan's Abbottabad city. The US said it had taken unilateral action to take out the Al Qaeda leader.

He said China and Pakistan would forever remain good neighbours and good partners.

The Chinese premier lauded Gilani's decision to accept India's invitation to watch the cricket world cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan in Mohali.

Gilani told reporters that Pakistan and China have agreed to bolster defence ties.

He said his trip to China was pre-scheduled and it had nothing to do with Osama's May 2 killing.

The Pakistani prime minister said Washington had assured that there would be no "unilateral attack" inside Pakistan's territory in future.

"If another high-value target is found in Pakistan a joint operation will be carried out against him," he was quoted as saying.