Islamabad (GNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the two nations’ long-standing friendship as rooted in mutual trust, unwavering support, and deep ties between their peoples.
Speaking at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Sharif noted that this year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. He extended his congratulations to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people, saying China’s National Day celebrations hold a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis.
He said China’s remarkable transformation and its growing role in promoting global peace, stability, and development continue to inspire nations worldwide, particularly Pakistan, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for President Xi’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, calling them foundational to building a shared future for humanity.
Sharif said the Pakistan-China relationship has, over seven and a half decades, evolved into a unique bond built on mutual trust, support, and close people-to-people ties, expressing pride in the countries’ all-weather strategic partnership and describing their friendship as having stood the test of time.
He pointed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a powerful symbol of this enduring friendship and shared vision for prosperity, noting that both countries are now moving into the next phase — CPEC 2.0 — with greater emphasis on industrialization, special economic zones, IT and AI, agriculture, and mining.
He highlighted progress in agricultural cooperation specifically, noting that the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates has completed training in China, with another 1,000 set to follow, calling it a meaningful investment in the skills and future of Pakistani youth.
Describing Pakistan-China relations as the anchor of Pakistan’s foreign policy, nurtured across generations of leadership, Sharif recalled his meeting with President Xi in Beijing in May, saying their productive discussions reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral friendship. He reiterated Pakistan’s full commitment to implementing the understandings reached between the two countries’ leadership for mutual benefit, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to continue working alongside China to build an ever-closer community with a shared future.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, also speaking at the event, described the two nations as all-weather strategic partners and close allies, welcoming the growing resilience of Pakistan’s economy under Sharif’s leadership. He noted that the 75-year journey of bilateral relations has shown both countries standing by each other through difficult times.
The ambassador highlighted growing economic ties, noting that bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion between January and July, a 13.4 percent increase year-on-year. He added that agricultural trade between the two countries stood at roughly $830 million during January-August, up 45 percent from the previous year, while China remains Pakistan’s top source of foreign investment, accounting for 60.7 percent of total foreign investment inflows including from Hong Kong.
Jiang said China remains ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in industry, agriculture, and mining, and to advance the high-quality development of CPEC 2.0 along with an upgraded China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
He also outlined plans for livelihood-focused projects, including building 100 clean water stations, upgrading 1,000 smart classrooms, and distributing 100,000 school kits in Balochistan.
He added that China intends to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in health, education, and climate change, alongside expanded exchanges among universities, think tanks, youth, and women, and said China would deepen defence, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan while maintaining close coordination internationally to safeguard the interests of Global South nations.
Also read: President Reaffirms Commitment to Deepen Friendship with China
The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony led by Prime Minister Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Also in attendance were Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, Federal Ministers Ali Pervaiz Malik, Musadik Masood Malik, and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Special Assistants to the PM Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan and Tariq Fatemi, along with members of the diplomatic corps.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
