ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with China as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
In a message issued on the occasion, the president extended warm felicitations to the leadership and people of China, particularly Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing Pakistan-China relations as a “remarkable example of enduring friendship, mutual trust, strategic cooperation and steadfast support for each other’s core interests.”
He said that over the past seven and a half decades, both countries had consistently stood together in solidarity despite evolving regional and international circumstances.
President Zardari noted that the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership had continued to grow from strength to strength, serving as an anchor for peace, stability and development in the region.
He said the people of Pakistan took immense pride in the exemplary friendship, nurtured by successive generations of leaders and citizens of both countries.
Highlighting China’s development under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, President Zardari said China had achieved extraordinary progress in modernisation, innovation, poverty alleviation and national rejuvenation.
He also appreciated China’s global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, saying these reflected Beijing’s constructive role in promoting peace, sustainable development, mutual respect among civilizations and international cooperation.
The president said these initiatives resonated strongly with Pakistan’s aspirations for regional harmony, shared prosperity and multilateral cooperation.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for China, President Zardari said Islamabad remained firmly committed to the One-China principle and would continue supporting China on issues concerning its core interests.
He also appreciated China’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and socio-economic development.
The president further acknowledged China’s role in supporting the Global South and appreciated its positive contribution towards ending the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Referring to his recent visits to China, President Zardari expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Chinese leadership, saying the visits reinforced the shared resolve of both countries to accelerate high-quality development under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0.
He said Pakistan and China were committed to expanding economic and investment cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration in technology, agriculture, green energy, innovation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
“As our two countries commemorate this historic milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to further elevating Pakistan-China friendship particularly through the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” the president said.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral ties, President Zardari said the friendship between Pakistan and China would continue to flourish and attain even greater heights in the years ahead.
He also conveyed his best wishes for the continued progress, prosperity and well-being of the people of China.