Muhammad Asif Sheikh
As the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 77th National Day on October 1, 2026, Pakistan and China are also marking a historic milestone: 75 years of diplomatic relations. Pakistan and China formally established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1951. Over the past seven and a half decades, the relationship has evolved into an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, encompassing political cooperation, economic development, defence and security, infrastructure, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
The 75th anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate this remarkable journey while looking towards new areas of cooperation in a rapidly changing regional and global environment. A Relationship Built Over Generations The Pakistan-China relationship has been strengthened by successive generations of leadership. From the early years of diplomatic engagement, both countries gradually expanded cooperation into political, economic, defence, infrastructure, education and cultural fields. Pakistan was among the early countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, and over the decades both sides established regular mechanisms for political and diplomatic consultations.
Cooperation has also expanded into counter-terrorism, maritime affairs, border management, peacekeeping and regional security. Pakistan has consistently supported the One-China principle, while China has repeatedly expressed support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and development. The two countries also maintain close coordination at international and regional forums, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.2026: A Year of Renewed Commitment The year 2026 has given fresh momentum to bilateral relations.In January, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Seventh Round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing. Discussions covered political and strategic cooperation, defence and security, trade, investment, economic cooperation, culture and people-to-people relations. In May, President Xi Jinping and President Asif Ali Zardari exchanged messages marking the 75th anniversary.
President Xi emphasized strengthening strategic communication, renewing traditional friendship and deepening all-round cooperation.Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China from May 23 to 26, 2026, further highlighted the depth of bilateral engagement. His meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang covered CPEC, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, clean energy and people-to-people exchanges. From CPEC to New Economic Opportunities The future of Pakistan-China relations will increasingly depend on converting longstanding political trust into broader economic opportunities.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remains a central pillar of bilateral economic cooperation. Having contributed to infrastructure, energy and connectivity, CPEC is now entering a new phase in which industrial cooperation, agriculture, technology, minerals, innovation and private-sector participation are receiving greater attention. The emerging CPEC 2.0 framework provides an opportunity to broaden economic cooperation beyond infrastructure. Joint ventures, export-oriented industries, technology partnerships, agricultural modernization, skills development and cooperation between universities and research institutions can create new avenues for sustainable growth.For Pakistan, greater participation by the private sector will be particularly important. Stronger business-to-business relations can help Pakistani companies attract investment, enter new markets and develop partnerships with Chinese enterprises. A Partnership with Regional Significance Pakistan-China relations also carry significance beyond the bilateral framework.
Pakistan’s geographical position connects South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Arabian Sea, making regional connectivity an important area of shared interest. Gwadar and the broader CPEC framework are part of this connectivity vision. Cooperation on regional peace and security is also an important component of the relationship. Pakistan and China maintain consultations on regional developments, counter-terrorism and issues affecting peace and stability. Looking Towards the Next 75 YearsThe 75th anniversary is more than a commemoration of the past. It is an opportunity to consider how the partnership can respond to the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades. The foundations are strong: decades of diplomatic relations, political trust, defence cooperation, economic links, CPEC, institutional exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
For Pakistan, the next priority is to improve market access, attract investment, develop export-oriented industries, strengthen human resources and build capacity in emerging technologies. China’s engagement with Pakistan can also create opportunities for Pakistan’s young population through education, vocational training, technology transfer, innovation and employment.A Friendship Looking AheadSeventy-five years of diplomatic relations have given Pakistan and China a substantial history on which to build. The relationship has passed through changing regional and global circumstances while maintaining strong engagement and cooperation.
