Islamabad, September 19 (INP): Ambassador People's Republic of China Jiang Zaidong here on Thursday hosted a grand reception at a local hotel to mark the 75th anniversary of Founding Day of his country, that was largely attended among others by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif as a Chief Guests. It was an impressive ceremony,  reflective of deep-rooted brotherly relations between China and Pakistan, as there was all praise of China's socio-economic rise and China's warmness towards Pakistan since its independence.

Participants in the reception included civil and military officers, political figures, diplomats, journalists and elite of city, besides some Federal Ministers. On the occasion, the Ambassador  extended profound thanks to the government and people of Pakistan for their heart-felt sentiments towards China. He eulogised presence of Pakistan's top dignitaries in the event. He mentioned the fast-growing China's development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He added, China was taking new initiatives for its moderation and reformation in all sectors.

The Ambassador also spoke high about the contribution of Communist Party of China in their all-round national development. He said, the friendship between Pakistan and China was strong and deep as Pakistan was a brotherly country. He said that with the joint efforts of both sides, CPEC has achieved fruitful outcomes covering all areas of common interest. The CPEC, he said has an important role in Pakistan's economic and social development.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his address on the occasion praised high visionary leadership of China for developing China as a strong and powerful State in comity of Nations. He said, People of Pakistan are proud of their all-weather friendship with China. He was confident their decades-old partnership will keep growing with a passage of time.  President added, their mutual friendship is a great source of peace and prosperity world over. We are reliable friends for all time to come.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said it was momentous occasion, celebrating the 75th anniversary of China. Lauded Sino-Pak friendship, he said this is unbreakable and unshakable. He appreciated China's support at the level of IMF. We are highly obliged for it. The Prime Minister mentioned his last visit to China, stating it was very productive. Welcome extended to him during the visit was highly impressive.

Shahbaz Sharif praised President Xi's Belt and Road initiative and said it was contributing immensely in achieving economic prosperity in the entire region. He said Pakistan fully supports China's position on its core issues. Referring to CPEC, the Primer Minister hoped its 2nd phase will help to further develop important sectors like agriculture and mineral. He said, they are looking forward for Chinese Premier's visit to Pakistan, hoping it will push forward their bilateral ties to a new hight.

The Chinese Ambassador in his address further said "Over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation has realized a tremendous leap-over from standing up, growing prosperous to becoming strong.  The Chinese people have made significant achievements from being left behind in history, catching up with the times to leading the era. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, with a profound spirit of historical initiative, an overwhelming abundance of political courage, and a strong sense of responsibility, President Xi Jinping have piloted and navigated the Party, the military, and people of all ethnic groups to continue writing new chapters of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, embarking on a new journey of modernization with Chinese characteristics. 

 We have transformed from being poor and backward to the world's second-largest economy, with our economic output grew 223 times from 1952 to 2023, and now accounting for 17% of the world's total. We have risen from scrubs and ruins to build the world's most complete industrial system.  We have journeyed from destitution and deprivation to fully building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In 2023, the per capita disposable income of Chinese residents, adjusted for price factors, has grown 76 times compared to 1949. 

After 75 years of hard struggle, the Chinese path has become broader, the Chinese theory more prominent, the Chinese system more mature, and the Chinese spirit more robust.  The Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core, and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, are creating a new history of China's development in the new era with unwavering confidence. 

China's development cannot be separated from the world, and the prosperity of the world also needs China. The Plenary Session also highlighted the need to promote the building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. We are also pleased to see that the brotherly people of Pakistan share the same historical responsibility of national rejuvenation and the commitment to building a strong and prosperous country.  Over the 73 years since the establishment of our diplomatic tie, China and Pakistan have always understood, trusted, respected, and supported each other, making our bilateral relation a model for interstate relations. 

 Standing at a new historical starting point, we are willing to take the opportunity of implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to join hands with the brotherly people of Pakistan to promote the modernization of our respective countries.  Specifically, we are willing to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in energy and infrastructure, actively promote the second phase of the Karakoram Highway and the upgrade of the ML-1 Railway, facilitate the commercial operation of the SK Hydropower Project within this year, achieve the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass, to help Pakistan consolidate its development foundation. 

We are willing to strengthen agricultural and mining cooperation with Pakistan, increase the import of high-quality agricultural products from Pakistan, explore cooperation in the exploitation of oil and gas resources, to help Pakistan leverage its development advantages.  We believe that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, we will surely promote high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, accelerate the construction of an even closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era, bring more welfare to the peoples of our two countries and make greater contributions to the modernization of the world. Warmest congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Wishing prosperity and thriving to both China and Pakistan, and happiness and well-being to their peoples."

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China