Pakistan, China reaffirm friendship at National Day reception

Islamabad (People's Daily) - Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation at a reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Islamabad on Wednesday evening.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz speaks at the reception. (Photo: People's Daily)

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attended alongside Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistani ministers, senior military officials, diplomats and Chinese community representatives.

Addressing the gathering of nearly 300, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the Chinese people, praising China's development achievements and contributions to global peace and prosperity. "Pakistan-China relations are the anchor of our foreign policy," he said. Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Shehbaz described the friendship as a bond built on mutual trust and unwavering support. He also endorsed President Xi's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative as pillars of a shared future for humanity.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was entering its next phase, CPEC 2.0, with greater emphasis on industrialization, special economic zones, information technology, AI, agriculture and mining. Shehbaz said the first 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates had completed training in China, while another 1,000 were ready to follow, describing the program as an investment in young people's skills and futures.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong delivers a speech at the reception. (Photo: People's Daily)

Ambassador Jiang reviewed China's achievements over the past 77 years, and said Chinese modernization would continue to create opportunities for the world. Highlighting expanding cooperation, Jiang said bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion from January to July, up 13.4 percent year on year. Agricultural trade totaled approximately $830 million from January to August, an increase of 45 percent.

He outlined priorities including stronger strategic mutual trust, practical cooperation, public welfare, security cooperation and international coordination, emphasizing high-quality development of CPEC 2.0 and an upgraded China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. Jiang also pledged to accelerate the construction of 100 water purification stations, upgrade 1,000 smart classrooms and distribute 100,000 school kits in the Pakistani Province of Balochistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz (center right) and Ambassador Jiang (center left) join officials in a cake-cutting section during the reception. (Photo: People's Daily)

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. The reception also featured a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Attendees stand during the reception. (Photo: People's Daily)