Sino-Pak ties hailed as all-weather cooperation

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a function said Pak-China relations have evolved over the years into all-weather strategic cooperation and partnership that has stood the test of time.

They were addressing a function organized jointly by the China Study Centre and Pak-China Friendship Association, KP chapter, at the University of Peshawar to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

The chief guest of the event was Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Social Welfare, Zakat, Ushar, Special Education, and Women’s Empowerment. He, along with the guest of honour, University of Peshawar Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Johar Ali, Director, China Study Centre Dr Noor Sanauddin, General Secretary Pakistan-China Friendship Association, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, and Pro-Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof Dr Naeem Qazi, cut the anniversary cake.

On the sidelines of the event, the China Friendship Wall and a painting exhibition were inaugurated by the chief guest. The speakers said the 74th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations marked a milestone in the deep and strategic partnership between the two countries, adding that China and Pakistan had stood by one another in times when real friends are needed.

They said a recent example of that was the strong moral and diplomatic support extended by People’s Republic of China in the Pakistan-India tension. Director of China Study Centre Dr Noor Sanauddin said the Pakistan-China relations had stood the test of time. He said that the China Study Centre had been established with the financial support of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan.

Dr Noor Sanauddin added the centre offered language classes and had a Higher Education Commission-recognized research journal. “The centre researches Chinese culture and other matters connected to China and its people,” he added.

Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani said the leadership of both countries had maintained close contact through frequent visits and strategic dialogue.“Whereas China has consistently supported Pakistan on key issues like Kashmir. On the other hand, Pakistan has supported the BRI and CPEC as a game changer for both the countries and the region itself,” he added.

University of Peshawar Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Johar Ali said that made-in-China products had become a symbol of quality around the globe and every country of the world today was dependent on Chinese goods. He added that the two nations had strong defence ties, with joint military exercises, training programmes, and defence production cooperation.

Dr Johar Ali said that Pakistan and China often coordinate positions on international platforms like the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which has further added to their strong voice across the world.

Syed Qasim Ali Shah stated that China had consistently backed Pakistan diplomatically throughout the crisis. He added that in the recent Indo-Pakistan tension, China had reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan.

The minister said that China’s support for Pakistan during this conflict underscored its brotherly ties with Pakistan.He suggested a 100-sentence Chinese language guideline book comprising basic daily use sentences so that every Pakistani should learn it and have an idea about it at a glance.The China Study centre chief agreed to the proposal and gave his commitment to publish the booklet in a fortnight.