By Ajmal
Khan Yousafzai
Islamabad: Pakistan said Pakistan and China were joined together in a broad-based, long-term “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan-China cooperation was an anchor for regional peace and stability. “We have always stood by each other through difficult times and have supported each other on core national issues,” he said at a news briefing here. He said both Pakistan and China advocate peace in the region and had always cooperated to achieve this goal. “Our friendship cannot be disturbed through propaganda. We are all-weather friends,” he added. The spokesperson said China had contributed much for the peace in the region Iron Brothers, 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. 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 neighboring 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. Economically, China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major investor, especially in infrastructure and energy sector.
During 2018, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$ 18 billion. 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 Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative of “One Road and One Belt”. 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.
