Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China would be further enhanced to serve their fundamental interests and ensure peace as well as prosperity in the region.
“At a time when the international and regional environment is undergoing profound changes, it is our firm resolve to further cement and forge this all weather strategic partnership, which serves the fundamental interests of both the countries and contributes to the peace and prosperity of our people,” the minister said.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day festival which kicked off here with a series of events organised by the Government of Pakistan to celebrate 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Peoples Republic of China.
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and his wife, and Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr Fauzia Saeed were also present on the occasion.
The minister said China and Pakistan had carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in political, military, diplomatic and cultural fields as well as science and technology.
The two countries formally established diplomatic relations and had made remarkable achievements over the years, the minister said. “Our unique friendship has transformed into a strategic partnership and increase in people-to-people contacts.”
Pervaiz Rashid said the Pakistan-China relationship was boosting with joint development of infrastructure projects, which would save huge cost of transport to both the countries.
The infrastructure development, he added, was the backbone of the trade and economic development between both the countries.
“Today is a historic day in the annals of Pakistan as it marks the 65th year of establishment of diplomatic relation between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People’s Republic of China,” the minister added.
He said the history of Pakistan’s relations with China was replete with concrete contributions made by China towards building a strong and robust Pakistan.
The relations between the two nations, he said, were based on trust, understanding and common aspiration of peace and progress.
The relations had remained unaffected by change of governments in either country as the same enjoyed the support of the people of two countries.
The time-tested, ever-growing and tensile bonds between Pakistan and China, he added, derived their depth from geographical proximity, shared geo-political interests, shared perceptions on regional security and issues of global concern.
He said the present initiative of reviving 2000 years old project ” Silk Road” in the form of “One Road One Belt” would help many countries, including Pakistan.
Pakistan-China relationship were boosting with joint development of infrastructure projects, which would save huge cost of transport to both the countries, he maintained.
The minister said CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) was not only a road but a commercial, political and strategic investment that would enhance the importance of Pakistan in regional as well as global politics.
CPEC, he said, was being constructed along the Silk Route which had expanded the Pakistan-China relations by providing it a solid economic foundation and dynamism. These relations could now be termed both corporate and cultural strategic partnership.
Pervaiz Rashid said Pakistan and China had signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement on March 25, 1965.
He said in 2014, Chinese Central Television (CCTV) and Pakistan Television Corporation Ltd signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) on mutual cooperation in the field of broadcasting enabling CCTV and CCTV9 documentary to obtain landing rights in Pakistan.
“Our cooperation in the realm of media and broadcasting is gaining momentum and frequent exchange of media persons have helped acquire first hand knowledge of each other’s customs, traditions, land and people for a better comprehension of issues faced by the two countries,” he added.
One Belt One Road initiative, the minister said, also called for an upturn in media cooperation so as to complement people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges which were equally important to economic cooperation.
He said only a better understanding between the people of two nations was a guarantor of sustained, solid and mutually beneficial relationship. ” The government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will ensure strong ties with the government and people of China,” he added.
He conveyed gratitude to the people, government and the leadership of Peoples Republic of China for their support and assured them that Pakistan would do all to make this relationship even more stronger.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador said that today was a very important day in perspective of Pak-China friendship because the diplomatic relations between two countries started on the same day 65 years before.
The purpose of this event, he said, was to give awareness to the people of Pakistan about culture of China.
Later, the Information Minister along with the Chinese Ambassador visited various stalls.
