'Pak-China ties as solid as a rock and as stable as Mount Tai'

Ambassador Jiang reaffirms China's Ironclad Friendship' with Pakistan on 75 years of diplomatic ties

As China and Pakistan mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations on May 21 (today), China's Ambassador in Islamabad Jiang Zaidong has said the two countries continue to uphold an "ironclad friendship" that has remained resilient through decades of global and regional changes.

In an article, Ambassador Jiang said China-Pakistan relations have "withstood the tests of the evolving international landscape," adding that the partnership remains "as solid as a rock and as stable as Mount Tai." He described the relationship as an "ironclad friendship higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the ocean, and sweeter than honey," calling it a model for state-to-state relations.

The Chinese envoy said the foundation of bilateral ties has been strengthened through sustained head-of-state diplomacy and frequent high-level exchanges, which he said have cemented "unbreakable strategic mutual trust" between the two countries.

He added that the traditional friendship was personally nurtured by earlier generations of leaders and has evolved into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

According to the ambassador, a major milestone was Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Pakistan in 2015, which significantly advanced bilateral relations.

He further stated that in 2025, President Xi held separate meetings with Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which important consensus was reached. These engagements led to the issuance of the Action Plan on Building an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, which he said has propelled relations into a new phase.

Ambassador Jiang also highlighted recent high-level exchanges, including President Zardari's visits to China's Hunan and Hainan provinces, describing them as evidence of continued strong political engagement and "steady strategic guidance" for bilateral ties.

The ambassador said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, has delivered "fruitful results" in energy, infrastructure, and development. CPEC has attracted over $25.9 billion in direct investment and created more than 260,000 jobs, contributing significantly to Pakistan's economic and social development.

Ambassador Jiang said the corridor represents a model of inclusive and people-centered cooperation. He added that President Xi has emphasised that CPEC's planning should extend to all regions of Pakistan, ensuring that development benefits are widely shared.

He further stated that CPEC has entered its "2.0 upgraded version," with renewed focus on industry, agriculture, and mining, alongside the development of five key corridors - growth, livelihoods, innovation, green development, and openness. According to him, these initiatives are aimed at unlocking Pakistan's development potential and aligning with China's modernisation process.

Ambassador Jiang said China and Pakistan continue to maintain close coordination on regional and global issues, describing both countries as important members of the Global South.

He stated that Pakistan has responded positively to Chinese diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability, including proposals related to recent regional conflicts. He also referenced joint efforts, including a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability.

According to him, both countries firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and international law-based global order. He added that Pakistan has been actively supporting China's major global initiatives and contributing to shared diplomatic objectives.

The ambassador said the world is undergoing "transformations unseen in a century," while both China and Pakistan are advancing their respective national development strategies - China through its upcoming Five-Year Plan and Pakistan through the Uraan Pakistan initiative.

He said these parallel modernisation efforts present new opportunities for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, infrastructure, agriculture, and innovation.

Ambassador Jiang said that on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China is ready to work with Pakistan to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and strengthen international coordination.

He added that the stability of China-Pakistan relations can help both countries address global uncertainties and set an example for building a "community with a shared future for neighbouring countries," contributing ultimately to what he described as the broader goal of a "community with a shared future for mankind."