Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China an “unparalleled partnership in history” and said that Beijing has stood by Islamabad in every difficult time, which is unparalleled in the history of world diplomacy.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China in the federal capital, the prime minister congratulated the Chinese leadership and people and said that the relations between the two countries are based on mutual trust, sincerity and common interests.
He said that Pakistan was among the first countries in the world to recognise China, while Pakistan was the first Muslim country to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing. He said that in the last 75 years, the two countries have jointly built a partnership that is unique in the world.
The Prime Minister said that China has supported Pakistan at every stage, including natural disasters, regional tensions and difficult economic conditions. He said that China has always supported Pakistan without any political conditions, and this is the real strength of the relations between the two countries.
Terming relations with China as an important pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy, Shehbaz Sharif once again reiterated his full support for the “One China Policy”. He said that Pakistan will continue to unconditionally support this policy today and in the future.
The Prime Minister described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a great manifestation of Pak-China friendship and said that this project has brought significant improvements in the energy, infrastructure and employment sectors in Pakistan. He said that CPEC has breathed new life into the country’s economy and opened new avenues for development.
He said that China’s industrial and technological development is an example for the world, and the global economy cannot move forward without China. According to him, Pakistan wants to benefit from China’s experiences and make further progress in the industrial and technological sectors.
The Prime Minister termed the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan the top priority of the government and said that all possible steps are being taken to protect them. He clarified that the government will leave no stone unturned to provide the highest level of security to Chinese citizens.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior officials were also present at the ceremony.
According to foreign affairs experts, Pak-China relations are considered very important for political and economic stability in the region. Analysts say that cooperation between the two countries is expected to strengthen further in the future in the fields of trade, information technology, energy, and defence.
