Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended heartfelt felicitation to Chinese people and their leadership on the occasion of 75th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China.
They were addressing the reception in Islamabad on the occasion of 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Thursday, the Radio Pakistan reported.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working together with China for shared prosperity and promoting peace and stability in the world.
Highlighting the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the president said that high quality development of CPEC would help unlock greater benefits for our people, besides enhancing connectivity and prosperity of the region.
President Zardari said that the first of October marked the rebirth of a strong, united China, achieved through the heroic struggles of the Chinese people under the visionary leadership of the Communist Party.
He reflected on the invaluable contributions made by successive generations in transforming the Pakistan-China friendship into an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
This partnership has served as a model of inter-state relations and thus become a source of inspiration and strength for both countries.
President Zardari said that China is an iron-clad brother of Pakistan and the entire nation is proud of the enduring friendship as both countries stood by each other during testing times.
In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that it is a great day and a great event that we are jointly celebrating 75th anniversary of our great friend China's independence. He said we all are very happy to celebrate this momentous event.
PM Shehbaz recalled his visit to China in June this year, saying that he was deeply impressed by the warmth and very friendly welcome by our Chinese friends.
He said the people of Pakistan and China are tied into unbreakable and unshakable relationships., saying that “this friendship is higher than Himalaya and deeper than the deepest ocean.”
Expressing gratitude to Chinese leadership for supporting Pakistan in difficult times, the prime minister said that without Chinese support, it would not have been possible at all to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions. PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's complete support to the Chinese stand on Hong Kong, Taiwan and other international issues.
“Pakistan is absolutely clear that we will support the Chinese stand without second thought for all times to come,” the premier said.
The prime minister said we are entering into the second phase of CPEC, which will be very helpful in transforming Pakistan's economy.
He said that this phase has a huge potential of mutual cooperation in the field of agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals and many other important areas of our mutual interest.
“We also look forward to deepening our collaboration in areas of mutual interest,” the premier said.
The prime minister said that his government is eager to welcome the Chinese Prime Minister who will participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of Government (SCO CHG) meeting to be held in Islamabad.
On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong on the commended President Xi Jinping’s leadership in initiating a new era of development for China, transitioning from a deprived society to a prosperous one.
He reaffirmed China’s dedication to working alongside Pakistan in the active implementation of its global initiative, which focuses on mutual development and shared cooperation.