BEIJING/ISLAMABAD – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday urged building a shared future with Pakistan in the new era as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations.
Wang issued the call as he addressed a seminar held via video link on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan.
Noting that China and Pakistan have forged ahead over the past 70 years sharing weal and woe, Wang said the two countries fostered a unique "iron-clad friendship," a rock-firm mutual political trust, and a most valuable strategic asset.
As the world is experiencing profound changes, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China and Pakistan needed to accelerate building a closer community with a shared future in the new era more than ever before
As the world is experiencing profound changes, Wang said China and Pakistan, as all-weather strategic partners, needed to accelerate building a closer community with a shared future in the new era more than ever before.
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He urged the two sides to enhance strategic communication, work together to defeat COVID-19, earnestly advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), jointly safeguard regional peace, and practice real multilateralism.
Wang said China sincerely hoped Pakistan would enjoy unity, stability, development and be stronger.
No matter how the international landscape shifts, China will always stand side by side with Pakistan and staunchly support it in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and in blazing a development path suited to Pakistan's national realities to realize the grand vision of "new Pakistan," Wang added.
For his part, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the Pakistan-China friendship was deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people of the two countries.
Our seven-decade journey comprises of greater solidarity, deeper confidence, mutual trust and mutual understanding. Our deep-rooted and ironclad friendship has been nurtured by successive generations of leaders and people of both countries.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan's foreign minister
Qureshi highlighted the importance of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China, saying Pakistan's partnership with China would not only serve the interests of the two countries but also ensure peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond.
"Our seven-decade journey comprises of greater solidarity, deeper confidence, mutual trust and mutual understanding. Our deep-rooted and ironclad friendship has been nurtured by successive generations of leaders and people of both countries," Qureshi said.
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Qureshi noted how the two sides have the tradition of standing by each other through difficult times, including the latest challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic when China provided Pakistan with relief goods, equipment, medical expertise and COVID-19 vaccines.
He expressed the hope to deepen bilateral cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative and on the high-quality development of the CPEC.
He also said Pakistan would continue working with China to ensure success of various 70th anniversary celebrations, promote the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, and jointly maintain regional and world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
The seminar, entitled "Pakistan-China at 70: A Unique Bilateral Partnership", was held in Islamabad and hosted by Pakistan-China Institute, a Pakistani think tank.