Pakistan-China 65 Years : From Friends to Strategic Partners
Shares
ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): Pakistan and China are celebrating
2016 as a year of friendship to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations
that are constantly moving on an ascending trajectory and gaining
strength with the passage of time.
The two countries have prepared a number of events to celebrate
the anniversary of their friendship, which is unique in many ways
in the recent history of state-to-state and people-to-people relations.
The friendly relationship has been described over the years by
the leaderships of the two countries as all-weather, time-tested,
deeper than the oceans and higher than Himalayas, sweeter than honey,
and lately, as strategic and stronger than steel. These expressions
are not simple cliches but truly reflect the strength, depth and
maturity of the relationship constructed over the last 65 years.
Evolution of this extraordinary relationship owes its genesis
to the vision of the leadership of the two countries, who based
the relationship on the principles of peaceful co-existence,
commonality of interests, and shared perceptions on regional
and global developments.
On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan established formal
diplomatic relations. Pakistan was one of the first countries
to recognize China. This opened a new chapter of history of
bilateral friendly cooperation. To develop China-Pakistan
strategic partnership has won sincere support from both
leaders and peoples.
As friendly neighbours, China and Pakistan maintain close
communication and coordination on international and regional
issues of common concerns. China has always firmly supported
Pakistan's development and implementation of anti-terrorism
security strategy based on its national conditions.
Pakistan firmly supports China on the issues of Taiwan,
Tibet, Xinjiang and other issues concerning China's core
interests. China also firmly supports Pakistan in
safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity.
Leaders of our two nations have frequently exchanged
visits in recent years. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif have visited China twice and reached
important consensus with Chinese leaders on bilateral relations
and other major issues.
Economic cooperation:
China has become Pakistan's second largest trading partner,
while Pakistan becomes China's largest investment destination
in South Asia with total bilateral trade reached at 18 billion
US dollars. Positive developments were registered in previous
years as trade volume between the two sides grew from $5.7bn
to $100.11bn during a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 while
total value of contracts signed between the two in this period
went from $1.8bn to $150.8bn.
The construction of 46 billion US dollars China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing well and covers all
areas including energy, finance, information and communications
Defence cooperation:
In the field of defence, China has extended invaluable
cooperation that extends to all three services. It has assisted
Pakistan in setting up Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Heavy
Industries Taxila, several production lines in the Pakistan
Ordnance Factories, and maritime projects for the navy and
missile factories. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at
Kamra, Heavy Forge and Foundry, Heavy Mechanical Complex,
Heavy Re-build Factory at Taxila and Pakistan Steel Mill
at Karachi are more such examples.
The production of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft at
Aeronautical Complex Kamra stands out as a monumental
cooperation between the two countries.
Nuclear cooperation:
China has been a strong vocal and avid supporter of
Pakistan's nuclear power generation for peaceful purposes.
CHASNUPP-I is the commercial nuclear power plant in Punjab
set up with Chinese assistance by its CNNC (China National
Nuclear Corporation) under International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Construction of CHASNUPP-II started
in December 2005.
Cultural Relations:
Both states have given importance to cultural relations to
increase people-to-people cooperation through exchange of cultural
troupes. China appreciates Pakistan's effort to expand Chinese
language and Confucius Institutes in Pakistan.
2016 as a year of friendship to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations
that are constantly moving on an ascending trajectory and gaining
strength with the passage of time.
The two countries have prepared a number of events to celebrate
the anniversary of their friendship, which is unique in many ways
in the recent history of state-to-state and people-to-people relations.
The friendly relationship has been described over the years by
the leaderships of the two countries as all-weather, time-tested,
deeper than the oceans and higher than Himalayas, sweeter than honey,
and lately, as strategic and stronger than steel. These expressions
are not simple cliches but truly reflect the strength, depth and
maturity of the relationship constructed over the last 65 years.
Evolution of this extraordinary relationship owes its genesis
to the vision of the leadership of the two countries, who based
the relationship on the principles of peaceful co-existence,
commonality of interests, and shared perceptions on regional
and global developments.
On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan established formal
diplomatic relations. Pakistan was one of the first countries
to recognize China. This opened a new chapter of history of
bilateral friendly cooperation. To develop China-Pakistan
strategic partnership has won sincere support from both
leaders and peoples.
As friendly neighbours, China and Pakistan maintain close
communication and coordination on international and regional
issues of common concerns. China has always firmly supported
Pakistan's development and implementation of anti-terrorism
security strategy based on its national conditions.
Pakistan firmly supports China on the issues of Taiwan,
Tibet, Xinjiang and other issues concerning China's core
interests. China also firmly supports Pakistan in
safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity.
Leaders of our two nations have frequently exchanged
visits in recent years. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif have visited China twice and reached
important consensus with Chinese leaders on bilateral relations
and other major issues.
Economic cooperation:
China has become Pakistan's second largest trading partner,
while Pakistan becomes China's largest investment destination
in South Asia with total bilateral trade reached at 18 billion
US dollars. Positive developments were registered in previous
years as trade volume between the two sides grew from $5.7bn
to $100.11bn during a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 while
total value of contracts signed between the two in this period
went from $1.8bn to $150.8bn.
The construction of 46 billion US dollars China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing well and covers all
areas including energy, finance, information and communications
Defence cooperation:
In the field of defence, China has extended invaluable
cooperation that extends to all three services. It has assisted
Pakistan in setting up Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Heavy
Industries Taxila, several production lines in the Pakistan
Ordnance Factories, and maritime projects for the navy and
missile factories. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at
Kamra, Heavy Forge and Foundry, Heavy Mechanical Complex,
Heavy Re-build Factory at Taxila and Pakistan Steel Mill
at Karachi are more such examples.
The production of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft at
Aeronautical Complex Kamra stands out as a monumental
cooperation between the two countries.
Nuclear cooperation:
China has been a strong vocal and avid supporter of
Pakistan's nuclear power generation for peaceful purposes.
CHASNUPP-I is the commercial nuclear power plant in Punjab
set up with Chinese assistance by its CNNC (China National
Nuclear Corporation) under International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Construction of CHASNUPP-II started
in December 2005.
Cultural Relations:
Both states have given importance to cultural relations to
increase people-to-people cooperation through exchange of cultural
troupes. China appreciates Pakistan's effort to expand Chinese
language and Confucius Institutes in Pakistan.