A number of events are planned by the two countries to mark this important milestone
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi officially launched the celebrations of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China that began in 1951. The virtual ceremony, which was attended by high ranking officials from both sides, was concurrently held in Islamabad and Beijing.
Foreign Minister Qureshi paid tribute to the people of both countries for maintaining such brotherly relations over the many decades. He also praised the current Chinese leadership for its incredible achievements.
“We pay tribute to the Chinese leadership which has done an incredible job in changing the lives and destiny of its people. We believe that President Xi Jinping’s leadership, at a momentous history, has greatly helped Chinese nation achieve its national aspirations,” Qureshi said. “Successive generations of leaders and people of both Pakistan and China made invaluable contributions to strengthen these ties.”
Qureshi also said that Pakistan is looking forward to the visit by the Chinese President, which will help further boost the ties between the two sides. “We are looking forward to receive President Xi Jinping to Pakistan this year. We believe that the visit will be seminal in further elevating our ties,” the foreign minister said.
Defense partnership
Pakistan and China have a lot of collaboration on the military side. The two countries work together to build JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. Combined military drills also take place. Strategically, both sides help each other counter the ultra-right-wing Hindu Nationalist designs of the Indian government and its dream of turning its neighbors subservient.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Pakistan is a massive part of the BRI project, which is dubbed as the new silk route. CPEC is an integral part of the route that will help China lessen freight carrying time by at least two weeks by Sea. The project will also help China avoid waters where it faces political tensions. Pakistan also benefits from the increased economic activity, which will allow a more conducive environment for business and create a greater number of jobs.
People to people contact
A logo was also launched at the ceremony symbolizing the historic nature of Pakistan-China ties. Both sides have planned a number of events to mark the milestone in a befitting manner including people-to-people exchanges, spread over the entire year.
Pakistan and China indulge in a large volume of trade each year. A lot of Pakistan’s imports are from China based on ease of doing business as well as the economic side of import from the neighbor. At the same time, Pakistan typically exports higher-valued finished goods in the consumer market. Thousands of Pakistani students are also studying in China in the various fields of education. The interaction between the common people of the two countries allows an even stronger bond at the highest level.