In the current geo-political and geo-strategic dynamics in the world, Pakistan and China need each other more than ever, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said on Saturday night. “Pakistan’s friendship with China is the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy,” he said while speaking at a dinner he had hosted at the Governor’s House to celebrate the 60 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.
The dinner was attended among others by the provincial ministers, members of the diplomatic community, parliamentarians and notables from the business community. Earlier, the national anthems of Pakistan and China were played and the governor and the consul general of China in Karachi, Zhang Jianxin, jointly cut a cake. Speaking on the occasion, the governor said that Pakistan and China are celebrating the year 2011 as the year of Pakistan-China friendship and that it is a moment to renew both countries’ common resolve to impart a new dynamism to take this all-weather friendship and strategic cooperative partnership to ever new heights.
“Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1951, the two countries have developed an all-weather friendship and strategic cooperative partnership,” he added. He said that during the last six decades, both countries have forged multi-dimensional cooperation in various fields particularly economic, energy, technology and defence. The governor said that successive leaders in Pakistan and China have always given their utmost attention to holding high the banner of Sino-Pak friendship.
“On this auspicious occasion, it is time we pay tribute to the architects of the Sino-Pak friendship and to all those who contributed to the flourishing of this beautiful friendship and enduring partnership,” he added. Dr Ebad said that this friendship has withstood the challenges of time and the changes in the international and regional situation. “Pakistan has always strongly supported China and believes in the one-China policy and firmly supports its principled stand on Taiwan and Tibet,” he added.
“We seek to build on these cooperative ties to ensure our respective countries stability, peace and prosperity.” He said that the four-day official visit of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to China is very significant during which he held talks with President Hu Jin Tao and Prime minister Wen Jaibao and other leaders on the matters of bilateral, regional and global interest. The governor described the Pakistan-China strategic partnership as indispensable and a critical factor in ensuring regional and global peace and security.
He was confident that both the countries will jointly march forward together in order to realise a glorious future for China and Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, the consul general of China in Karachi, Zhang Jianxin spoke about the deep and friendly ties between China and Pakistan that have grown stronger over the years. He was of the view that this friendship is rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries.