70th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic ties to be celebrated with zeal and zest

Islamabad, October 25 (Gwadar Pro) – Pakistan is excited as it is about to complete 70 years of diplomatic relations with Iron Brother China, the country’s top diplomat said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Gwadar Pro that the 70th year was yet another milestone in the history of a permanent friendship and trust. “We will celebrate this event in style. We are very excited about this. China has always been on our side during this long and sweet journey,” he maintained.

The FM said Pakistan-China ties were higher than Himalayas and were set to touch new peaks as the two friends complete 70 years of diplomatic ties.

Former Pakistan ambassador to China Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi said the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties next year and this will be a “special moment.”

“The two brothers (Pakistan and China) will celebrate it as per the people’s expectations. This is a huge event. My stay in China as the ambassador and in other capacities had been memorable,” she told Gwadar Pro.

Pakistan and China enjoy close and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1951. Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized the People’s Republic of China.

Pakistan-China relationship has built on the strength of its successive achievements, and has become formidable with each passing day and year. The leadership of both countries is committed to taking this relationship forward.

Over the years, the relationship has blossomed into an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”. Pakistan considers China as one of its closest friend and partner and China considers Pakistan as its “Iron Brother”.

The bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring countries is characterized by feelings of mutual trust, respect and goodwill towards each other. There is a regular exchange of visits at the highest level between the two countries. The strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China has grown over the past several decades.

With the official launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the bilateral relationship has been elevated to a higher level. CPEC is a flagship project of China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI).

It aims at enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure between Pakistan and China. Several projects are being implemented under CPEC, for enhancement of infrastructure and generation of energy. People-to-people contacts are an important aspect of the bilateral relationship. The year of 2015 was celebrated as the Year of Friendly Exchanges between Pakistan and China and several high profile events were organized including seminars, exchange of visits and cultural events to highlight people-to-people interactions.

China is currently Pakistan’s largest single trading partner; while Pakistan is China’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. Major imports from China include machinery and mechanical appliances, metals, chemical products, mineral ores, plastic scrap and transport equipment. Main exports include cotton yarn, cotton fabric, rice, leather and fish products.

To enhance bilateral trade volume, the two countries signed the 2nd Phase of China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) during the Prime Minister’s visit in April 2019. CPFTA-II became operational from 1st January 2020. It would ensure provision of level-playing field in terms of concessions vis-à-vis other competitors; robust safeguard measures for protection of domestic industry; improved tariff reduction modality; higher liberalized import value from China and lesser import value for Pakistan and attracting FDI into SEZs.

Pakistan and China have constituted a Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to implement CPEC. Nine JCC meetings have been held to date, with the last one taking place on 5 November, 2019 in Islamabad. Next meeting of the JCC is scheduled to be held in China in November.