H.E. Khalil Hashmi
Ambassador OF Islamic Republic Pakistan
To People’s Republic of China
Over the past 75 years, China has made remarkable progress economically, socially, diplomatically and technologically, in large part due to exceptional leadership, long-term vision and exemplary discipline. China has achieved these milestones incrementally, steadily and peacefully. It has emerged a global leader which is sharing its prosperity, progress and perspective with developing countries through platforms such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as Global Development, Security and Civilization Initiatives. This multidimensional progress and socio-economic transformation achieved by China on so many fronts is both a beacon of hope and inspiration for developing countries.
In the past 73 years, Pakistan and China forged an unshakable, rooted in mutual trust, mutual support, strategic cooperation, and people-to-people bonds. As we celebrate 75th anniversary of the birth of New China, we take pride in the historic and enduring “Iron Brotherhood” that has been nurtured by generations of leaders, diplomats, officials, business people, artists, students, and many others in both countries.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative, stands as a one of the key pillars of our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. CPEC has injected vitality into Pakistan’s economy by strengthening its infrastructure and energy sectors that are key drivers of economic growth and development. This corridor has generated tens of thousands of jobs and livelihoods, paved hundreds of kilometers of highways, transmission and optic fibre, laying the foundation for sustainable development and long-term economic growth in Pakistan and its neighborhood.
Pakistan-China partnership, however, goes far beyond CPEC. Our collaboration spans several areas; our coordination and consultation on global and regional issues remains robust; our joint efforts to promote regional peace and stability remain unremitting. Our bilateral cooperation has now reached the depths of outer space, symbolizing the boundless scope of our partnership. Our partnership in deploying I-CUBE payload onboard Chang’e-6 lunar mission and recent launch of PakSat-MM1 reflects our shared aspirations to pursue scientific progress and technological innovation for the benefit of our people.
In recent years, we have also expanded cooperation in education, healthcare, cultural exchanges, and science and technology, further cementing the foundations of our bilateral relationship. Our joint efforts during the pandemic and various national calamities demonstrate the true nature of our iron-clad friendship.
On this auspicious occasion, I would like to reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to its strategic partnership and collaboration with China in promoting BRI, CPEC, GDI, GSI, GCI as well as regional stability, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. I am confident and determined to further strengthen our partnership in the years to come, bringing benefits not only to our two great nations but also to the entire region and beyond.
As we mark China’s 75 years of remarkable achievements, we send our best wishes for China’s continued progress, prosperity and success.
Congratulations to the People’s Republic of China on this historic anniversary.
