Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirms Beijing’s commitment to closer ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to accelerating the building of “an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era”, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China from August 30 to September 4.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

During the visit, he held meetings with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, where the two sides conducted in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and regional and international issues.

The visit concluded with the release of the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025-2029).

Ambassador Jiang said that the plan “is dedicated to building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future with even stronger political mutual trust, closer economic and trade ties, deeper security cooperation and a more solid popular basis”.

He noted that the plan would serve as “the general guideline, roadmap and construction plan for advancing the all-weather strategic cooperation between our two countries at present and in the time ahead”.

Ambassador Jiang stressed that high-level trust remained the cornerstone of ties. Quoting President Xi, he said: “China and Pakistan share a resilient bond, a brotherly bond, and also a bond built on trust and common values — an ironclad friendship that was forged through historical twists and turns and has grown ever stronger over time.”

He added that PM Shehbaz underscored that “the Pakistan-China ironclad friendship has taken root in the hearts of the over 200 million Pakistani people, and that no force can shake this unbreakable bond”.

Over the past year, frequent high-level visits, including those by Prime Minister Shehbaz in June, former Premier Li Qiang in October and President Zardari in February, have “enabled our two sides to reach important common understandings on advancing the all-weather strategic cooperation,” Ambassador Jiang said.

He also highlighted economic cooperation as a priority. Quoting President Xi, he said: “China supports Pakistan in maintaining unity, focusing on development, and enhancing national strength. China is ready to work with Pakistan to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 and upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement”.

He cited major milestones this year, including the launch of the New Gwadar International Airport, operation of the China-donated seawater desalination plant, production at the Rashakai Special Economic Zone and Pakistan’s PRSS-1 satellite launch from China.

Pakistani exports such as beef, seafood and fruit have also gained traction in Chinese markets, he noted.