Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said on Monday that China and Pakistan are developing stronger mutual trust and coordination to deal with the challenges jointly and bring peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. Speaking at China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on the eve of "Launch of Special Edition of PIVOT Magazine," Ambassador Jing said that relationship between Pakistan and China has grown stronger over the years and now it has turned into an all-weather strategic partnership.
He stated, "While China will celebrate the 70th independence anniversary on October 1, 2019, we are looking back to the seven decades of China's developments and foreign policy and Pakistan has always figured prominently in the development and achievements of China."
Referring to a few contributions of Pakistan to China's development, he pointed out that the first civilian Chinese international airline was trained by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He said that Pakistan also guided and helped China in establishing its stock exchange.
Over the years, he said that both the countries moved closer and closer. "Now we have established an all-weather strategic partnership," he said, adding that this relationship is based on mutual trust and respect.
He said that the relationship between the two countries is characterized by mutual support and mutual trust. "In China's diplomacy, we think Pakistan is the most reliable and trustworthy partner in all arenas on both international and regional fronts," he added.
He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a platform for development not only for both the countries, but also a platform for regional connectivity and prosperity.
To deal with the challenges jointly, he said that the two countries are developing a stronger mutual trust and coordination for global and regional peace. "This partnership is not for short period, but it is for the long-term for the interest of the region and the world...both Pakistan and China want to live in peace and prosperity," he added.
"China has a trust-based historic relationship with Pakistan," he said, adding that China values its relationship with Pakistan and sees it as a model inter-state relationship. He commended CPSC for publishing a special edition to mark the 70th founding day of China.
Addressing the ceremony, Special Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moazzam Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan takes pride in its relationship with China. He highlighted that during Pakistan's tough times, China has always provided steadfast support and it can be witnessed again in recent Kashmir crisis.
He said that Pakistan welcomes and appreciates China's stance following India's illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, adding that both the countries rejected these steps and are expressing concerns over the prevailing situations and continued lockdown in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry (retd), Director General ISSI, commending China on its 70th national day, stated that China's achievements are lessons for all nations to emulate. He further said that broad-based strategic relationship with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood (retd), Chairman ISSI, in his address noted that China only describes its relationship with Pakistan as: "All-weather strategic cooperative partnership." He highlighted that with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the relationship has reached new heights.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, Dr Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, stated that as China celebrates 70 years of its founding, Pakistan-China relationship has deepened and grown stronger.
He said that from a strategic relationship, now it is moving to deep economic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. He noted that PIVOT magazine projects Pakistan-China relations and developments in diverse spheres such as policy, economy, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
To celebrate decades of time-tested Pakistan-China friendship on the eve of 70 years of the founding of People's Republic of China, he said that a special edition of PIVOT magazine is being published next month.