Pakistan-China Ties Remain Cornerstone of Foreign Policy: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has described Pakistan-China relations as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
Addressing a ceremony held to mark the 77th anniversary of China’s National Day, the prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people.
He said the friendship between Pakistan and China had withstood the test of time, with the two nations sharing deep bonds of trust and mutual understanding.
China’s Role in Global Peace and Development
Prime Minister Shehbaz said China was playing an important role in promoting global peace, stability and development.
He praised China’s progress in human development, science, technology and innovation under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, describing the country’s achievements as significant contributions to global development.
The prime minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) reflected the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to building a more prosperous future for their peoples.
Pakistan and China are now moving towards the next phase of CPEC, known as CPEC 2.0, with a focus on industrialisation, special economic zones, information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, mining and minerals.
Focus on Agriculture and Youth Training
Highlighting cooperation in agriculture, Shehbaz Sharif said the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates had completed training in China, while another group of 1,000 graduates was preparing to travel to the country.
He described the training initiative as an important investment in the capabilities of Pakistani youth and their future contribution to the country’s agricultural sector.
‘Pakistan-China Relations Are a Cornerstone of Foreign Policy’
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan-China relations constituted a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Referring to his meeting with President Xi in May, he said discussions between the two leaders had reaffirmed the strength of the longstanding bilateral relationship. He added that Pakistan remained committed to implementing understandings reached between the leadership of the two countries.
Quoting a Chinese saying, the prime minister said a sincere friend living far away could make a distant land feel close, adding that the saying aptly reflected the bond between Pakistan and China.
Chinese Ambassador Highlights Bilateral Partnership
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said China and Pakistan were partners in an all-weather strategic cooperative relationship.
He said Pakistan had played an important role in supporting multilateralism and international cooperation and had contributed to efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the region and beyond.
The ambassador also referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, saying Pakistan had presented its national interests and positions on international and regional issues at the global forum.
Jiang Zaidong said the past 75 years demonstrated that China and Pakistan had stood by each other through difficult and prosperous times, describing the two countries as close friends who had supported one another like brothers.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had consistently attached importance to expanding practical cooperation between Pakistan and China across multiple sectors.