A high-level symposium titled “Jointly Build the China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future” was held here on Monday, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the Chinese Embassy, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Pakistan in 2015. The event was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Foreign Secretary Ms. Amina Baloch, along with prominent figures such as head of Pakistan-China Institute Mushahid Hussain Syed, former Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi, senior political leader Afrasiab Khattak, Abdullah Hameed Gul, Chairman of the Institute of Strategic Studies Khalid Mahmood, Director Dr. Talat Shabbir, Hassan Daud Butt, as well as scholars, serving and former diplomats, experts on Pakistan-China relations, and journalists.

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong delivered a key-note address in which he highlighted President Xi’s historic 28-hour visit to Pakistan in April 2015, which resulted in the signing of 51 significant cooperation agreements across multiple sectors. The visit not only elevated bilateral relations to the level of an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” but also placed CPEC at the heart of future collaboration. He proudly recalled the enthusiasm and warmth President Xi received during his address to the Parliament on the occasion.

He noted the President had received over 50 rounds of applause—underscoring the depth of goodwill between the two nations. In his address, Ambassador Jiang also reviewed the achievements of the past decade, highlighting five key pillars of cooperation.
He noted the deepening of strategic mutual trust, demonstrated through over 100 high-level exchanges and unwavering support for each other’s core national interests. He emphasized the development cooperation, particularly CPEC’s contributions to alleviating Pakistan’s energy crisis, operationalizing the Gwadar Port, and expanding trade and investment links between the two countries.

The Ambassador highlighted the flourishing people-to-people connections, citing the rise in the number of Pakistani students in China, the establishment of more sister city partnerships, and the success of cultural exchanges, including co-produced films and joint exhibitions. He pointed to robust security cooperation, including joint military drills and coordinated responses to shared challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods, during which China provided $260 million in aid to Pakistan.

He praised the two countries’ growing collaboration on global platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, affirming their joint advocacy for multilateralism and the rights of the Global South. Ambassador Jiang also reflected on the important lessons learned over the past decade, stressing the value of strategic leadership, unwavering cooperation, win-win economic collaboration, and deep-rooted people-to-people ties.

He reaffirmed that China remains Pakistan’s largest source of foreign direct investment and expressed confidence in both nations continuing to pursue shared development goals. Looking to the future, the Ambassador laid out five strategic priorities for the next phase of cooperation. These include enhancing strategic trust, aligning the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Pakistan’s “5Es” framework for development, strengthening security collaboration, boosting educational and cultural exchanges, and deepening coordination in multilateral forums to promote a more inclusive and equitable global order.

As China and Pakistan approach the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, Ambassador Jiang expressed strong optimism for the future. Ambassador Jiang concluded his remarks with a passionate tribute to the lasting bond between the two nations, calling for unity and cooperation in building a brighter shared future. “Let us join hands and stand united to meet the challenges, build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and create a brighter future for our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. Long live China-Pakistan friendship!”

Highlighting the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China partnership, Senator Hussain recalled the landmark visit of President Xi Jinping in 2015, during which 51 agreements worth $46 billion were signed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He emphasized that CPEC remains a testament to China’s confidence in Pakistan’s future.

Senator Hussain also underscored the significance of President Xi’s historic address to the joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament, the first by any Chinese leader. He drew attention to three key anniversaries: the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s visit, the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference which laid the foundation for Global South cooperation, and the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in World War II. Senator Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

He stressed that Pakistan stands on the “right side of history” in aligning with China and the vision of an inclusive, peaceful, and cooperative Asian century. He concluded by quoting Chairman Mao: “Nothing is hard in this world if you dare to scale the heights,” affirming that Pakistan and China will continue to move forward together toward prosperity and peace.
Amna Baloch Foreign Secretary highlighted the occasion as more than a remembrance—it was a celebration of a resilient and forward-looking relationship grounded in mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and the shared vision of building a community with a shared future.

She recognized President Xi Jinping’s 2015 visit to Pakistan as a turning point that launched CPEC, providing a structured framework for cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and connectivity. Bilateral engagement, she noted, continues to expand, as seen in recent reciprocal high-level visits—including those of Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister to China, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Pakistan.

These exchanges signal both countries’ firm commitment to deeper collaboration across trade, technology, agriculture, environmental protection, and digital development. She emphasized both nations’ shared determination to safeguard sovereignty, promote development, and enhance regional stability amidst a shifting global landscape. Looking ahead, she expressed eagerness for President Xi’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, viewing it as a powerful testament to the "Iron Brotherhood" between the two nations.

Guided by visionary leadership and public goodwill, she voiced strong confidence in an even stronger Pakistan-China friendship in the years to come. Speaking at the event, former Ambassador to China, Ms. Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi, emphasized that President Xi Jinping’s 2015 visit laid the foundation for transformative cooperation, turning the vision of regional connectivity into reality through CPEC. She highlighted its tangible outcomes, including the resolution of Pakistan’s energy crisis and the development of nearly 8,000 km of road infrastructure.

Ms. Hashmi praised President Xi’s leadership and China’s consistent support to Pakistan during critical moments like COVID-19, the Kashmir issue, FATF challenges, and counterterrorism efforts, reaffirming the strength of the bilateral partnership. Looking ahead, she called for deepened engagement through CPEC Phase 2, aligned with China’s Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. Concluding her remarks, Ms. Hashmi urged President Xi to undertake a long-awaited return visit to Pakistan, symbolizing the enduring resilience and strategic depth of the China-Pakistan relationship.

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