Ambassador People's Republic of China Jiang Zaidong here on Monday hosted a reception to mark the 76th anniversary of Founding Day of his country, that was largely attended among others by Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as a Chief Guest. It was a largely attended ceremony, reflective of deep-rooted friendly between China and Pakistan, as there was all praise of China's socio-economic rise and China's warmness towards Pakistan since its independence.

Participants included civil and military officers, political figures, diplomats and elite of the city. On the occasion, the Ambassador extended heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Pakistan for their warm sentiments towards China.

The ambassador who companied the President Asif Ali Zardari during his just concluded visit to China mentioned the fast-growing China's development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He added, China was taking new initiatives for its moderation and reformation in all sectors.

He said, the friendship between Pakistan and China was strong and deep as Pakistan was a brotherly country.

We are ready to work more vigorously with Pakistan under the leadership of the two countries for common development and strengthening strategic partnership.

We are prepared to enhance trade and business cooperation and to promote security interests. People welfare is our prime objectives, the Ambassador Jiang asserted.

The ambassador Jiang spoke high about Sino-Pak ties, stating : " China-Pakistan relations have a long and profound history.

As President Xi Jinping noted, China and Pakistan share a resilient bond, a brotherly bond, and also a bond built on trust and common values—an ironclad friendship that was forged through historical twists and turns and has grown ever stronger over time. High-level exchanges between our two countries have been frequent.

President Zardari has just made another successful trip to China, following his state visit in February, and Prime Minister Shehbaz travelled to China at the end of August to attend two major events, during which the two countries have released the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

At present, as the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century at an accelerated pace, a strong China-Pakistan relationship is not only conducive to safeguarding the common interests of the two countries, but also to safeguarding peace and development in the region and even the world.

Standing at a new historical starting point, we are ready to work with Pakistan to further deepen the iron-clad friendship and all-dimensional cooperation between the two countries:

First, we shall uphold high-level mutual trust and firm support, take the lead in building of the China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future.

We will implement the important consensuses reached by President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, and steadily advance the 63 measures in 7 major fields outlined in the Action Plan.

Second, we shall focus on development and win-win cooperation, walk hand-in-hand on the path of modernization.

We will fully leverage the comprehensive effects of the upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), focus on the three key areas including industries, agriculture and mining, upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, and promote more high-quality products from Pakistan to be exported to China.

Third, we shall follow the people-centered approach, prioritize people’s livelihood, jointly enhance the well-being of the people of both countries. We will implement more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, strengthen cooperation in healthcare, education, and climate change response, and expand youth and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Fourth, we shall safeguard safety and security, jointly defend the regional peace and stability. We will deepen counter-terrorism and security cooperation.

China will support Pakistan’s efforts of enhancing its counter-terrorism capacity building, creating a favorable environment for both Pakistan’s development and China-Pakistan cooperation.
Fifth, we shall take on our responsibilities and cooperate closely, jointly uphold international fairness and justice.

We will firmly uphold the authority of the United Nations and the victory of World War II, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

In short, we are ready to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, so as to better benefit the peoples of both countries, set an example for building a community with a shared future with China’s neighboring countries, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity."

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani thanked China for its all-out support to Pakistan for its socio-economic well-being, under CPEC.

He paid rich tributes to Chinese leadership for taking China to new heights.

Pakistan was proud of China’s remarkable progress and achievements under President Xi’s visionary leadership.

“Pakistan and China are iron brothers. Our All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership continues to grow from strength to strength.

Pakistan and China are fully committed to ensuring the success of CPEC, the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he remarked.

He also reaffirmed the resolve that Pakistan would continue to work closely with China to further strengthen its bilateral ties across all spheres, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Chairman highlighted the growing China, Pakistan partnership under BRI and the CPEC. The bandage of the two countries are very strong and they are iron brothers.

He hoped the wonderful people of China will keep growing with a passage of time.

The BRI and CPEC are the combined vision of the two countries for addressing the socio-economic challenges. He also talked about Sino, Pakistan joint position and efforts on regional and international level.

The two counties will continue to march towards common prosperity,
he added.

He emphasized that this abiding relationship has stood the test of time and evolved into an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in all domains — including regional connectivity, development, and people-to-people linkages — and expressed confidence that the iron-clad friendship will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

He also underscored the importance of joint efforts to deliver tangible benefits through CPEC, reaffirming the shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.

He mentioned about the exemplary coordination between Pakistani and Chinese missions across multilateral platforms.

He praised China’s remarkable development trajectory and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to this time-tested partnership.

He reaffirmed the bond as one that is deeply embedded in the hearts of the people and a pillar of regional stability.

The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, denoting festive spirit of the occasion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China