Pak-China friendship reach to new height, CPEC to help achieving targets
Ijaz Kakakhel
Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a comprehensive roadmap that will directly help
Pakistan achieve its development targets.
They expressed these views during a seminar titled “75 Years of Friendship: China-Pakistan Joint Contributions to the Global Governance Initiative and CPEC”. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Xinhua News Agency, hosted the commemorative seminar.
As a Chief Guest, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives address described Pakistan-China relations as a unique and exemplary strategic partnership built on trust and mutual support. He highlighted CPEC as the most visible manifestation of this friendship and a key driver of Pakistan’s socio-economic transformation, contributing to energy security, infrastructure modernization, and enhanced regional connectivity. He outlined CPEC Phase-II priorities under five strategic corridors: Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green Development, and Opening-Up and Regional Connectivity, emphasizing high-quality and inclusive development. He added that the Open Corridor is aimed at bringing other countries into CPEC, transforming it into a regional development project.
Highlighting the breadth of bilateral ties, the minister noted that the Pakistan-China friendship is set to reach new heights this year as the first Pakistani astronaut is scheduled to travel to space with China’s support.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Attaullah Tarar in his keynote address described Pakistan-China relations as an “iron-clad” friendship rooted in mutual trust, shared aspirations, and unwavering support across generations. He noted that the relationship has evolved into a model partnership that continues to deepen in scope and significance. He highlighted CPEC as a transformative initiative contributing to connectivity, development, and prosperity, while stressing the importance of cultural exchanges, media cooperation, and people-to-people contacts in strengthening bilateral ties.He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China had further elevated the partnership, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Global Governance Initiative under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, saying the initiative has already begun delivering results by enhancing representation of the Global South. The information minister also stressed that cultural exchanges, people-to-people contact, and media cooperation could go a long way in further cementing the Pakistan-China partnership.
The minister said Pakistan and China not only shared a common border but also mountains, rivers, and a bond that would continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Highlighting the enduring nature of bilateral ties, he said the past 75 years had demonstrated that Pakistan-China friendship was all-weather and time-tested. Despite changes in governments and the passage of different decades, he said, the friendship had continued to grow stronger and gain greater momentum with each passing year. Speaking on the occasion Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Jiang Zaidong termed the 75th anniversary a major milestone in bilateral relations, underscoring sustained high-level exchanges and deepening strategic trust. He reiterated that CPEC remains the central pillar of Belt and Road cooperation, with significant achievements in energy, infrastructure, investment, and employment generation. He also highlighted its evolution toward high-quality development through expanded cooperation in agriculture, industry, mining, science and technology, and livelihood-oriented initiatives, while reaffirming commitment to global governance principles of multilateralism, sovereign equality, and international law.
The seminar brought together federal ministers, senior diplomats, scholars, media representatives, and practitioners from Pakistan and China to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and to reflect on the evolving trajectory of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
In his video message, Mr. Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, extended felicitations to Pakistan and China on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed the enduring strength of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. He noted that both countries have consistently supported each other through changing international circumstances, setting a model of state-to-state relations based on mutual trust, solidarity, and shared interests.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, described Pakistan-China relations as an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership anchored in mutual trust, sovereign equality, and consistent support for each other’s core interests. He emphasized that the partnership has become an important pillar of regional peace and stability.
The seminar also featured the presentation of the book “China’s Governance under Xi Jinping’s Leadership (English Edition)”, showcasing China’s governance experience and development trajectory.
The first thematic session, chaired by Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, former Ambassador of Pakistan to China, focused on Pakistan-China cooperation in advancing the Global Governance Initiative and CPEC Phase-II. Speakers highlighted the increasing importance of inclusive global governance in a rapidly evolving international environment, and emphasized CPEC’s role in translating these principles into practical outcomes through connectivity, industrial cooperation, innovation, green development, and livelihood enhancement. The discussion underscored the need to ensure that the benefits of economic cooperation reach ordinary citizens through skills development, education, and SME growth, while also strengthening media narratives and policy coordination.
The second session, chaired by Mr. Tang Binhui, Head of Xinhua News Agency’s Islamabad Bureau, focused on “Pakistan-China Young Talents’ CPEC Story Sharing.” The session highlighted the human and people-to-people dimension of CPEC. Speakers shared personal experiences of collaboration, including long-term field engagement in infrastructure and energy projects, academic exchanges, and professional development through China-Pakistan cooperation. They emphasized that CPEC is not only a framework for economic connectivity but also a bridge between societies, fostering trust, cultural understanding, and lifelong bonds between the peoples of the two countries.
The seminar concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the enduring Pakistan-China friendship and a shared commitment to advancing high-quality development, deepening regional connectivity, and promoting a more inclusive and equitable international order. Participants expressed confidence that the continued evolution of CPEC and cooperation under global governance initiatives will further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and contribute to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
