On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of diplomatic relations, both Pakistan and China deserve congratulations. These two brotherly countries have stood by each other at all times. In particular China has been heavily involved in Pakistan's construction projects, and some of its engineers and workers have sacrificed their lives. For that act of bravery the Pakistani nation is grateful to the people of China.
China and Pakistan have proved in every age of difficulty that their friendship is strong. In the online talk of Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on May 16, Li stressed that China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors and steel friends, and that China always prioritizes its relations with Pakistan in its diplomacy with neighboring countries.
According to Li, China is ready to strengthen strategic ties with Pakistan, promote cooperation on major projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and strengthen bilateral staff exchanges to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Li pointed out that the recent attack on Chinese nationals of a Confucius center in Karachi has been condemned by the international community. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries of Chinese nationals in the terrorist attack and said that he would strengthen security measures for all Chinese institutions and citizens in Pakistan to prevent such incidents from happening again.
It is true that the friendship between China and Pakistan is not such that a few incidents can weaken it because it has a history of its own.
Formal relations were established in 1951 when Pakistan became one of the first countries to end official diplomatic relations with the dominion of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and recognize the People's Republic of China. Bilateral relations have grown from the initial Chinese policy of neutrality to a partnership with Pakistan. A strategic alliance was formed in 1972, and economic cooperation began to flourish in 1979.
Maintaining close ties with China is a central part of Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan has played a key role in bridging the communication gap between the People's Republic of China and the West by facilitating the historic visit of US President Richard Nixon to China in 1972.
It is said that relations between Pakistan and China have been described as higher than mountains, deeper than seas, stronger than steel, dearer than the light of eyes, and sweeter than honey.
In terms of Pakistan's recent support for China, in July 2019 Pakistan was one of the 50 countries that supported China's policies for stability and poverty relief in its Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, signing a joint letter to the UNHRC on China's human rights record. In November 2019, Pakistan was one of the 54 countries that signed the Joint Declaration in support of China's Xinjiang policies.
The partnership between the two neighboring countries is geographically important. In recent years, the relationship has been strengthened by ongoing military agreements between Pakistan and China. Since 1962, China has been a reliable source of military equipment for the Pakistani military.
On Jan 26, 2015, at the end of Raheel Sharif's two-day visit to Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Pakistan as China's "irreplaceable, all-weather friend." While the two countries are cooperating in counter-terrorism, they are cooperating with Afghanistan to enhance regional stability. Wang has said that China wants to turn Xinjiang into a base for economic development in the region.
Pakistan and China have been major trading partners. Bilateral trade volume exceeded $20 billion for the first time in 2017, according to China Customs data. Economic trade between Pakistan and China has recently increased and a free trade agreement signed. Economic relations between the two countries continue to grow and China has promised to increase its investment in Pakistan's economy and infrastructure.
China released its first foreign investment plan under the Belt and Road Initiative on April 22, 2015 for the development of a hydropower station near Jhelum, according to China Daily. When it comes to economic cooperation, the mother of all these projects is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the biggest project of the century is Gwadar Port at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
CPEC is also connecting Pakistan with China and Central Asian countries through the highway from Kashgar to Khanjarab and Gwadar. The port of Gwadar in southern Pakistan will serve as a trade nerve hub.
Business links grow with more heavyweight market players. Increasing the market presence are Haier co in home appliances, China Mobile and Huawei in telecommunications, and China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) in mining and minerals.
It would not be an overstatement to say that the future of China and Pakistan will be highlighted by the CPEC and Belt and Route Initiative projects. The CPEC will raise the flag of success all over the world and the economic and living conditions of the people of Pakistan will also improve together with a proud and prosperous China with no more abject poverty.
The writer is Secretary-General Pakistan China Friendship Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province-Pakistan & Senior Media Consultant email syeed.gilani@gmail.com
The views don’t necessarily represent those of China Daily.