Pakistan hails China's 'rock solid' support

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the friendship between Pakistan and China was "time-tested and unbreakable" as the two nations marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at an event marking the anniversary, the prime minister said Pakistan was proud to be the first Muslim country to recognise the People's Republic of China and among the earliest countries in the world to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing in 1951.

"Through mutual efforts, sincerity of purpose and shared commitment, we have built a relationship which is second to none and truly unique in the world," the prime minister said.

He stated that China had always stood by Pakistan "like a solid rock" during difficult times, including earthquakes, floods and economic challenges, and said Beijing's support for Islamabad was unmatched in history.

The prime minister called China the most steadfast and trusted friend of Pakistan in the world, saying that it was a history of sharing each other's happiness and grief—a history of supporting each other without political strings or conditions.

"And that is why, from the depths of the seas to the heights of the Himalayas, from power plants and dams that illuminate and energise our nation to the unwavering support extended during moments of hardship," he said.

He added that he had no doubts this journey would continue, and "I believe that in this time-tested and unbreakable relationship, this partnership is equally strengthened through joint ownership, joint efforts, and joint sincerity of purpose."

PM Shehbaz further added that he had the privilege of visiting China and that "each time I visit your country, whether it's Beijing, Guangzhou, or other parts of China, I find new towns, new industries, and millions of Chinese enjoying life through hard work and untiring efforts."

"And this is the outcome and the result of President Xi Jinping's vision. Under his able leadership, China has been able to lift around 800 million people out of poverty," said the prime minister.

The premier added that today, in terms of economic prowess and military power, China was second to none. "The world without China cannot move forward," he said.

He noted that last year he had announced sending 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates, both boys and girls, for modern training in China.

"I'm very grateful to Ambassador Jiang and the Chinese leadership for accepting our request. These great sons and daughters of Pakistan received excellent training in various Chinese universities, and now they have returned to work in research and development centres, committing to the promotion of agriculture in Pakistan," he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari stated that the relationship between Islamabad and Beijing was built on mutual trust, unwavering support and shared development goals.

He said bilateral cooperation had expanded across trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, defence and people-to-people exchanges, while appreciating China's consistent support to Pakistan on the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) dispute and reaffirming Pakistan's firm adherence to the "One China Policy".

The president said Pakistan and China would continue supporting peace, stability, development and multilateralism at the regional and global levels, adding that both countries had always safeguarded each other's core interests and maintained close cooperation in education, agriculture, science and technology, defence and cultural exchanges.

The president thanked the Chinese government for its support in Pakistan's development projects, particularly Gwadar Port, and termed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a historic initiative that continued to play a transformative role in Pakistan's socio-economic progress.

Paying tribute to President Xi Jinping's leadership, he said China had achieved unprecedented economic development and remarkable poverty alleviation under his vision.

President Zardari shared that he had visited the country 14 times, including two visits last year, and recently visited the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong during his latest trip.