THIS year marks a historic milestone as Pakistan and China celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations – a journey that has grown into an enduring all-weather strategic partnership
. The relationship between the two nations has evolved far beyond formal diplomacy, reflecting a deep bond rooted in mutual trust, shared aspirations and steadfast support for each other’s core interests. Both countries, in celebrating this landmark, have expressed their avowal to take this friendship to even greater heights, signaling a commitment not just to continuity but to an ambitious expansion of cooperation across all spheres.
The celebrations were further highlighted by the visit of a distinguished Chinese parliamentary delegation led by Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress, CaiDafeng. The National Assembly and the Senate unanimously passed resolutions to commemorate this milestone. These resolutions reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to China, lauded the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties. The Chinese delegation held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In his remarks, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s full support for China’s core interests, praised China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and highlighted the pivotal role of CPEC in Pakistan’s socio-economic development. He expressed a strong resolve to ensure that the second phase of CPEC, with its focus on agriculture, IT, industry and mining, is executed successfully, building upon the achievements of the first phase. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, stability and multilateral cooperation, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Pakistan-China partnership. Throughout history, China has stood firmly by Pakistan in challenging times and the people of Pakistan have always remembered and valued this support. Today, there is a renewed opportunity to further strengthen this historic relationship by promoting cooperation in diverse sectors, ensuring that the second phase of CPEC not only matches but surpasses the first in scope and impact. The seventy-five years of Pakistan-China friendship has never wavered and there is no doubt that this relationship will continue to grow, bringing the two countries further closer together. Looking ahead, the ironclad brotherhood between Pakistan and China promises a future of shared peace, prosperity and progress.
