President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its strategic partnership with China, describing the bilateral relationship as a time-tested friendship rooted in mutual trust, shared aspirations and steadfast support through every challenge.
They were addressing a ceremony in Islamabad to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.
“Seventy-five years ago, our two nations began a journey rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations. Today, this journey has evolved into an all-weather, unique strategic cooperation.”
“Pakistan and China have stood by each other through various challenges, safeguarding each other’s core interests,” President Zardari said.
He emphasised that friendship with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, which enjoys “total public, political and institutional support; thus, the relationship enjoys continuity across generations.”
Zardari remarked that President Xi’s initiatives and support for deeper bilateral cooperation had opened new avenues for shared prosperity and regional stability.
President Zardari also thanked the Chinese government for its support in development projects, particularly the Gwadar Port, and termed the CPEC a historic initiative that continues to play a transformative role in Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
Shehbaz Sharif lauded the “steadfast” Pakistan-China friendship, maintaining that Beijing has supported Islamabad in an “unwavering fashion unmatched in the annals of history”.
The prime minister began his speech by extending felicitations to the Chinese leadership and people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
“Seventy-five years ago, our founding fathers laid the foundation of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” he said, adding: “Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognise China and one of the first countries in the world to do so.”
“Through our mutual efforts and endeavours, and above all, sincerity of purpose, we have built a relationship that is second to none and very unique in the world,” he said.
He said that throughout these 75 years, the Chinese leadership and people have stood with Pakistan like a “solid rock”.
“Earthquakes, floods, peace and difficult times – China has always supported Pakistan in an unwavering fashion.”
The premier also reaffirmed that Pakistan has always supported the “One China” policy.
“Till today and forever, we support the One China policy, without fear or favour.”
Shehbaz said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under China’s Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping, was a “great manifestation” of China’s commitment to support Pakistan, promote its economy, provide jobs, and bring prosperity and development.
Referring to recent efforts to hold peace talks between the United States and Iran, the prime minister said that China had “fully supported” Pakistan’s peace initiative.
The prime minister also reiterated that the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan was a matter of “paramount importance” for the government.
“We will spare no effort to provide the highest level of security to Chinese nationals.”
Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress of China Cai Dafeng, represented the Chinese leadership on the occasion.
“Looking back in history, on May 21, 1951, Pakistan and China formally established diplomatic relations, making Pakistan the first Islamic country to establish diplomatic ties with China,” Dafeng said while addressing the ceremony.
He said that Islamabad and Beijing had together opened a new chapter of mutual “understanding, affinity and integration”.
“For 75 years, we have stayed true to our original aspiration, and that has forged a unique ironclad friendship amid a changing international landscape.”
PM to visit China this weekend
At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from May 23 to 26, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Sharif and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him.
The leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, pointing out the direction for the development of China-Pakistan relations under the new situation, the spokesperson said.
Sharif will also attend the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and visit Zhejiang Province, Guo added.