BEIJING: A grand reception was held in Beijing to celebrate the 79thPakistan Day by Embassy of Pakistan in a served that the China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) construction had achieved renowned accomplishmentduring the last five years.
“It has not only brought benefits to not only people of our two people andcountries but also provided new opportunities to this region for upgradinginter connectivity and economic integration,” he added.
The minister recalled Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China inNovember last and said the leaders of two countries agreed unanimously tofurther enhance all weather strategic cooperation between the two countriesand make the community of shared future for China and Pakistan in the newera.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Ambassador Masood Khalid said thatPakistan Day was celebrated every year on 23rd March to pay homage to thefounders of Pakistan.
He said this year Pakistan and China completed 68 years of their diplomaticrelations. “Our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” nurturedover all these years is reaching new heights and is a model in inter-staterelations.
Ambassador Khalid said the launch of China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) a flagship project of BRI had added a new chapter in Pak-Chinafriendship. CPEC was making steady progress in the agreed areas. At present22 projects were under implementation. ”Next week, we will witness theinauguration of Gwadar International Airport.”
In the outgoing year, both the countries maintained the momentum of highlevel interaction. Pakistan was represented at the Head of State and Headof Government level in SCO Qingdao Summit, BOAO Forum and First ShanghaiInternational Import EXPO.
Prime Minister Imran Khan paid his first official visit to China inNovember. Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission General ZhangYouxia, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid official visitsto Pakistan. Foreign Minister of Pakistan was here three days ago. Thisyear, he hoped for more higher level interaction.
He said bilateral cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts had alsointensified in recent years promoting goodwill and friendship between thetwo nations. About 25,000 students from Pakistan were studying here.
Ambassador Khalid said in the field of Science & Technology, both countrieswere implementing a cooperation agreement entailing training programmes,research projects and academic exchanges.
He said Pakistan and China were celebrating 2019 as the year of Sister-cityrelationships, adding, “We will continue to strengthen our linkages in allfields and further elevate our bilateral relations.”
A cake cutting ceremony took place wherein the Ambassador, Chief Guest, andother dignitaries cut the cake.
A stunning cultural performance by a Chinese singer who sang a number ofPakistani national songs enthralled the audience.