- PM Shehbaz Sharif Highlights 75 Years of Pakistan-China Diplomatic Ties, Expanding Economic Cooperation and Shared Commitment to a Common Future
ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the longstanding relationship as a bond rooted in mutual trust, steadfast support and close ties between the two peoples.
Addressing a reception in Islamabad to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister noted that Pakistan and China are also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz extended his warm felicitations to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people, saying that China’s national day holds a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis.
He praised China’s remarkable transformation and its growing contribution to global peace, stability and development, saying the country’s experience and progress continue to inspire nations around the world, particularly Pakistan.
Pakistan Endorses China’s Global Initiatives
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, describing them as important pillars for promoting cooperation and advancing a shared future for humanity.
He said the Pakistan-China relationship had evolved over more than seven decades into a unique partnership based on mutual trust, mutual support and strong people-to-people ties.
“Pakistan takes immense pride in our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China,” the Prime Minister said, describing the two countries’ friendship as one that had stood the test of time.
CPEC 2.0 to Focus on Industrialisation, Technology and Agriculture
Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a major expression of the enduring friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to economic development.
He said Pakistan and China were now moving towards the next phase, CPEC 2.0, with greater emphasis on industrialisation, Special Economic Zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, and the development of mines and minerals.
Highlighting progress in agricultural cooperation, he said the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates had completed training in China, while another 1,000 were preparing to undertake similar training.
The Prime Minister described the programme as an important investment in developing the skills of Pakistani youth and strengthening agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
China Highlights Growing Trade and Investment Ties
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong described China and Pakistan as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad brothers,” and welcomed what he described as growing resilience and vitality in Pakistan’s economy.
He noted that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, saying the partnership over the past seven and a half decades had demonstrated the two countries’ commitment to supporting each other through challenges.
The Ambassador highlighted expanding economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion from January to July, representing a 13.4 percent year-on-year increase.
He said bilateral agricultural trade stood at approximately $830 million during January-August, registering a 45 percent year-on-year increase. China, he added, remained Pakistan’s largest source of foreign investment, accounting for 60.7 percent of total foreign investment attracted by Pakistan, including Hong Kong.
New Cooperation Initiatives in Agriculture, Education and Livelihoods
Ambassador Jiang said China was ready to work with Pakistan to further expand cooperation in industry, agriculture and mining and promote the high-quality development of CPEC 2.0, alongside efforts to upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
He also outlined proposed livelihood-focused initiatives, including the construction of 100 clean-water stations, upgrading of 1,000 smart classrooms and distribution of 100,000 school kits in Balochistan.
China would also strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in health, education and climate change while expanding exchanges among universities, think tanks, youth and women, he said.
Defence and Security Cooperation Also Highlighted
The Chinese Ambassador reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to strengthening defence, security and counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan.
He also stressed the importance of continued international coordination between the two countries and joint efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing and Global South countries.
Pakistan-China Friendship Enters New Phase
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan-China relations remained an “anchor” of Pakistan’s foreign policy and had been strengthened by successive generations of leadership in both countries.
Recalling his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, he said the discussions had reaffirmed the depth and continuity of the bilateral partnership.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the consensus reached by the leadership of both countries and to working with China towards an ever-closer Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.
Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Musadik Masood Malik and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ihsaan Afzal, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and members of the diplomatic corps also attended the reception.
BY: The Times Union
