LAHORE – Chinese Consul General Sun Yan reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening ties with Pakistan, particularly Punjab, while highlighting economic cooperation, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and people-to-people exchanges during a National Day reception at a hotel in Lahore.
Addressing the gathering, attended by Punjab Provincial Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and other distinguished guests, Sun Yan said China and Pakistan had maintained a close relationship despite global challenges.
“China-Pakistan relations have always operated at a high level and grown stronger over time,” he said, describing the two countries as having forged an “unbreakable traditional friendship” over 75 years of diplomatic relations.
The consul general highlighted developments in Punjab, saying the province had maintained a “sound momentum of economic growth” alongside improvements in people’s livelihood.
He pointed to several China-backed projects and areas of cooperation, saying the Sahiwal Power Plant provides stable electricity and the Orange Line Metro “continues to facilitate public travel.”
Chinese agricultural machinery, seed industry and drip irrigation technologies were also making their way into Pakistani farmlands, he said.
Sun Yan said CPEC was advancing toward its upgraded “Version 2.0,” with China and Pakistan focusing on agriculture, industry and mining while seeking to build five corridors covering “Growth, Livelihoods, Innovation, Green, Openness.”
He also highlighted cooperation involving Lahore’s business community in industrial parks, textiles and engineering machinery, saying the benefits of the corridor should extend “from mega-projects to small and medium-sized enterprises” and ordinary people.
On future cooperation, Sun Yan said China was ready to work with Pakistan to implement the “Action Plan for Building an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.”
He outlined three priorities: strengthening friendship across generations, opening a new chapter in CPEC development, and jointly addressing global challenges.
“We will continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding our respective core interests,” he said, adding that exchanges between Punjab and China would be expanded in political parties, legislative bodies, media, youth and think tanks.
He said China would also seek to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s “Uraan Pakistan” initiative and Punjab’s PIVOT initiative, while accelerating cooperation in agriculture, textiles, new energy, digital economy and industrial parks.
Concluding his speech, Sun Yan said China and Pakistan were ready to “join hands” to elevate their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and bring greater benefits to both peoples.
