China and Pakistan share a resilient bond built on trust: Jiang Zaidong

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to accelerating the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to China. Addressing a press conferences at Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong praised all the nations who attended Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) and made it successful.

Jiang Zaidong said that President Asif Zardari also wrote an article in China Daily on the successful conclusion of the SCO and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also described China's successful presidency as a reflection of Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision. He said China and Pakistan will work together in the next phase. 

Chinese Ambassador said that the Chinese President Xi Jinping presents a grand vision for development under the Global Governance Initiative and all participating leaders has appreciated this vision and they are also keen to see Pakistan implement these four Global Governance Initiatives. 

Jiang Zaidong said that PM Shahbaz Sharif also supported this vision and said that Pakistan supports the Global Governance Initiative and will implement it. 

Ambassador Jiang said that China wanted to build a community with Pakistan a shared future with even stronger political mutual trust, closer economic and trade ties, deeper security cooperation and a more solid popular basis. 

He noted that the plan would serve as the general guideline, roadmap and construction plan for advancing the all-weather strategic cooperation between our two countries at present and in the time ahead.

Ambassador Jiang stressed that high-level trust remained the cornerstone of ties. Quoting President Xi, he said: "China and Pakistan share a resilient bond, a brotherly bond, and also a bond built on trust and common values — an ironclad friendship that was forged through historical twists and turns and has grown ever stronger over time."

He added that PM Shehbaz underscored that "the Pakistan-China ironclad friendship has taken root in the hearts of the over 200 million Pakistani people, and that no force can shake this unbreakable bond". 

Over the past year, frequent high-level visits, including those by Prime Minister Shehbaz in June, former Premier Li Qiang in October and President Zardari in February, have "enabled our two sides to reach important common understandings on advancing the all-weather strategic cooperation," Ambassador Jiang said.

He also highlighted economic cooperation as a priority. Quoting President Xi, he said: "China supports Pakistan in maintaining unity, focusing on development, and enhancing national strength. China is ready to work with Pakistan to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 and upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement".

He cited major milestones this year, including the launch of the New Gwadar International Airport, operation of the China-donated seawater desalination plant, production at the Rashakai Special Economic Zone and Pakistan's PRSS-1 satellite launch from China.

Pakistani exports such as beef, seafood and fruit have also gained traction in Chinese markets, he noted.