Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended warm felicitations to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the people of China on the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
The president and the premier reaffirmed their resolve to further deepen cooperation between the two countries and acknowledged Beijing’s positive contribution towards maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and the Middle East.
In his message, President Zardari said: “On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, I extend warm felicitations to the leadership and people of China, especially President Xi Jinping, on the historic occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.”
He stated that relations between Pakistan and China over the last 75 years had become a remarkable symbol of lasting friendship, mutual confidence, strategic collaboration and unwavering support for each other’s key national interests.
The president said that both countries had always stood shoulder to shoulder despite changing regional and international developments.
President Zardari added that Pakistan highly appreciated President Xi’s sincere personal efforts in advancing the common vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan and China on the important milestone marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In his message, the premier said that the people of Pakistan regard the Chinese nation with great respect and affection.
PM Shehbaz noted that since diplomatic relations were formally established on May 21, 1951, the bond between Pakistan and China had steadily grown into an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
He said the relationship, founded on mutual trust, sovereign equality and shared goals for peace and development, had continued to gain strength, depth and strategic importance despite changing regional and global conditions.
The prime minister remarked that the commitment shown by the Chinese leadership towards strengthening bilateral ties and promoting the vision of a closer “Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era” was highly praiseworthy.
PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan deeply valued China’s cooperation in various sectors and reiterated that Islamabad remained firmly committed to the One-China principle and would continue supporting China on matters linked to its core interests.
He said that China’s strong support for Pakistan’s socio-economic progress and national priorities had played an extraordinary role in the country’s development.
Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), PM Shehbaz said that the flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative had made significant contributions to infrastructure development, energy security, industrial collaboration and regional connectivity in Pakistan.
The prime minister said that Pakistan remained fully committed to the high-quality advancement of CPEC as it entered a new phase with greater focus on industrial growth, agriculture, information technology, science and technology, green initiatives and stronger people-to-people cooperation.
He said it was encouraging to see Pakistan-China cooperation expanding into emerging fields such as the digital economy, innovation, space collaboration, education and cultural exchanges.
The prime minister said that from the Karakoram Highway to cooperation in outer space, the friendship between the two countries continued to demonstrate how enduring strategic trust could lead to meaningful development and shared prosperity for both nations.
PM Shehbaz further said Pakistan greatly valued the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping and admired China’s remarkable progress in economic growth, technological innovation, poverty reduction and global connectivity.
“The 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations was not only a moment to remember the past but also an opportunity to shape the future,” he asserted.
The premier said that at a time of increasing uncertainty and transformation across the world, both Pakistan and China remained dedicated to multilateralism, peaceful coexistence and inclusive development.
PM Shehbaz said that the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries continued to serve as a positive force for regional stability and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced the release of a commemorative Rs75 coin to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
As per a statement issued by the SBP, the special coin will be available to the public from Monday.