Pak-China friendship will grow broader like Karakoram Highway

The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Over the past 75 years, the two countries have stood together through storms and hardships, supported each other faithfully, transcended geographical distance and ideological differences, and weathered changing international circumstances. Together, they have forged an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership as solid as a rock and as enduring as ever, creating the "ironclad friendship" described as "higher than the mountains, deeper than the seas, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel".

On April 21, 2015, during an important speech at the Pakistani Parliament, Xi Jinping stated: "The traditional friendship between China and Pakistan will surely grow broader like the Karakoram Highway." This deeply meaningful statement accurately summarised the historical foundation and spiritual essence of China-Pakistan friendship, while also pointing the way forward for the long-term development of bilateral ties in the new era.

The Karakoram Highway winds through the Karakoram Mountains, the Hindu Kush, the Pamir Plateau, and the Himalayas, crossing towering peaks and rushing gorges. It stands as a monument of friendship jointly built by the peoples of China and Pakistan with their sweat and blood. More than half a century ago, countless builders overcame freezing temperatures, high altitudes and immense difficulties, carving roads through mountains and bridging rivers to construct this vital route connecting the two nations on the roof of the world. The Karakoram Highway not only overcame geographical barriers but also became a bridge linking the hearts and destinies of the Chinese and Pakistani peoples. Over the past 75 years, China-Pakistan friendship has resembled this highway - starting from shared ideals and extending into the future, growing stronger with time and remaining steadfast through the tests of history while continuing steadily along the path of mutual benefit and shared development.

On May 21, 1951, the two sides formally established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in bilateral friendship. At a time of great turbulence in the international landscape, they upheld principles of mutual respect, equality, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual support. On the international stage, they have consistently stood by and supported one another. No matter how the international situation changes or what development challenges arise, Pakistan has firmly adhered to the One China Principle and consistently supported China on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns. Likewise, China has always supported Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, respected Pakistan's independently chosen path of development, and remained its strongest supporter.

Relations between states depend on friendship between peoples, and friendship between peoples depends on mutual understanding. Seventy-five years of exchanges have deeply rooted this friendship among ordinary citizens, making it a shared spiritual treasure of both nations. From stories of friendship along the Karakoram Highway to mutual support during earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic; from generations of Pakistani students realising their dreams in China to Chinese-funded friendship hospitals benefiting local communities in Pakistan; from sincere cooperation in cross-border trade to mutual learning through cultural exchanges - China-Pakistan friendship has become a widely shared emotional bond among the people. In Pakistan, 'Chini Bhai' (Chinese brother) is an affectionate term used from the heart. In China, 'Pak Iron Brother' is a warm nickname for Pakistan. These expressions reflect genuine closeness and mutual recognition between the two peoples.

Deepening practical cooperation is the solid foundation of China-Pakistan friendship and the pathway toward shared prosperity and development. The upgrading and expansion of the Karakoram Highway demonstrates how bilateral cooperation has evolved from infrastructure connectivity to comprehensive, in-depth collaboration. CPEC, the flagship project of BRI, symbolises the high-quality development of bilateral cooperation. The corridor has, since its launch, always focused on improving livelihoods and promoting development as the key to social progress and people's well-being. CPEC projects have concentrated on critical sectors such as energy, transportation, industry, agriculture and public welfare, implementing many major initiatives that address both immediate and long-term needs. Power plants have illuminated countless homes across Pakistan and significantly alleviated the country's chronic electricity shortages. Roads and highways have improved transportation and modernised the national transport network. Industrial parks have created hundreds of thousands of local jobs. Through consultation, joint construction and shared benefits, the corridor has embodied the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation through tangible development achievements.

Today, profound global changes unseen in a century are accelerating. Unilateralism and protectionism are resurging, while regional conflicts and global challenges overlap, posing serious threats to the themes of peace and development. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan stand on the right side of history, uphold multilateralism, safeguard international fairness and justice, and jointly respond to common challenges. From combating terrorism, separatism and extremism to maintaining regional peace and stability; from coordinating on global issues such as climate change, food security and energy security to closely cooperating within multilateral mechanisms such as the UN and SCO, China and Pakistan have consistently acted as builders of regional peace, contributors to global development and defenders of the international order.

The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations is not only an important milestone in China-Pakistan relations but also a new starting point for future achievements. Standing at this new historical starting point, the two nations will continue to inherit their ironclad friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust, and further promote the high-quality development of CPEC so that more people in both countries may benefit. They will continue strengthening the foundations of people-to-people friendship to ensure that the spirit of China-Pakistan friendship is passed down through generations. They will also continue advancing side by side on the international and regional stage, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind while safeguarding regional peace and global stability together.

After 75 years of history, China-Pakistan friendship has become as majestic and steadfast as the Karakoram Mountains and as broad and enduring as the Karakoram Highway itself. We firmly believe that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries and the joint protection of their peoples, the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan will shine with renewed vitality in the new era, becoming ever stronger and broader.