Prime Minister highlights importance of bilateral cooperation with China on counterterrorism and broader regional stability
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. SCREEN CAPTURE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the friendship between Pakistan and China was “time-tested and unbreakable” as the two nations marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Speaking at an event to mark the anniversary, the prime minister called China Pakistan’s firmest and most reliable friend in the world, saying it was a story of sharing each other’s happiness and pain, a story of supporting each other without political strings and conditions.
“And that is why, from the depths of the seas to the heights of the Himalayas, from the power plants and dams that illuminate and energize our nation to the unwavering support provided in times of difficulty,” he said.
He added that he had no doubt that this journey would continue and “I believe that in this time-tested relationship, this partnership is equally strengthened through joint ownership, joint efforts and joint sincerity of purpose.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz further added that he had the privilege of visiting China and “every time I visit your country, be it Beijing, Guangzhou or other parts of China, I find new cities, new industries and millions of Chinese enjoying life through hard work and unremitting efforts.”
“And this is the result of President Xi Jinping’s vision. Under his skillful leadership, China has been able to lift around 800 million people out of poverty,” the premier said.
The prime minister added that today, in terms of economic prowess and military power, China has no rival. “The world without China cannot move forward,” he said.
He noted that last year he had announced sending 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates, both boys and girls, for modern training in China.
“I am very grateful to Ambassador Jiang and the Chinese leadership for accepting our request. These great sons and daughters of Pakistan received excellent training in various Chinese universities and have now returned to work in research and development centers, committing themselves to the promotion of agriculture in Pakistan,” he said.
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More to follow….
