Cooperating to build a promising future

2016 is the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. Thanks to the commitment of successive Chinese and Pakistani leaders and the concerted efforts of our two peoples, we have forged an allweather friendship and pursued all-round cooperation. Such friendship is truly unique and unparalleled.

Over the past 65 years, China and Pakistan have become extremely close and shared both joy and woe.

Sino-Pakistan friendship is being carried forward from generation to generation and has become the common aspiration of people from all walks of life from both countries.

Through efforts made over several generations, our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has transcended changing times and achieved remarkable things.

On the basis of mutual trust, mutual support and equal treatment, our time-tested relationship has become deeper, more fruitful, more substantial and more people-oriented with each passing day, setting a good example for state-to-state relations.

We will never forget that Pakistan was both one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China and the first Islamic country to enter into diplomatic relations with China.

At critical times when China sought to break international deadlocks, resume its lawful seat at the United Nations and explore ways to carry out reform and opening-up, Pakistan always came forward with selfless and valuable assistance.

When China was hit by natural disasters or faced difficulties, Pakistan always extended a helping hand. In 2008, when the devastating earthquake struck Wenchuan, China, Pakistan responded immediately by flying more than 20,000 tents, which was its entire reserve, to China.

The Pakistani medical team on the transport plane had to remove all the seats to make room for the tents. They sat on the floor of the plane all the way to China.

Similarly, whenever Pakistan has been in need, China has come to its aid. China firmly supports Pakistan's efforts to uphold sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

When Pakistan was severely hit by floods in 2010, China provided immediate relief assistance via air and land routes. We dispatched China's largest-ever medical relief team and sent a large convoy of vehicles and helicopters to carry out rescue operations. This was the first time that such operations had been undertaken in the history of China's rescue assistance.

Following the terrorist attack in Peshawar at the end of 2014, China invited the students who were injured in the attack and their families to spend some time in China to recuperate. We were happy that those poor, traumatized children could be healed through the love and care of the Chinese people.

China and Pakistan are close partners pursuing win-win cooperation. On the basis of our strong political relationship, which enjoys solid public support, our all-round cooperation is making new progress.

Bilateral trade volume reached $18.9 billion last year, an increase of 18.2 percent compared to the year before.

China has become Pakistan's largest investor and trading partner. Pakistan is China's largest investment destination in South Asia.

Our two countries and peoples have benefited from increasingly friendly cooperation.

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Pakistan, which opened a new chapter in our bilateral relationship. Both leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and continue to promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The CPEC is a major pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi. It has become the framework and platform for comprehensive and substantive cooperation between China and Pakistan.

The CPEC has won across-the-board support from the political parties and peoples of our two countries. It will provide new opportunities and a new vision for, as well as new impetus to, Sino-Pakistan relations.

Currently, the CPEC is making constant progress.

Eight power projects, including Port Qasim and Sahiwal Coal Power Plants, Karot Hydro Power Project are under construction.

The Karakorum Highway Phase II (Thakot to Havelian section) and Karachi-Lahore Motorway (Multan to Sukkur section) were recently inaugurated. The feasibility study of the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway and Gwadar New International Airport is under way.

The repairs and upgrades to Gwadar Port are due to be completed soon. Both sides are now in close consultation on industrial cooperation.

The progress will not only boost the economic growth of China and Pakistan, but also promote the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.

Looking to the future, China and Pakistan will deepen their already close friendship and work together to fulfill their ultimate ambitions.

Both China and Pakistan have their own national development goals. We both shoulder the historical mission of achieving national renewal, realizing the great dream of building a prosperous country and delivering a better life for our peoples.

On the auspicious occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our nations, both sides should take this opportunity to carry forward the all-weather friendship and deepen all-round cooperation.

In the process of fulfilling our dreams, we should fully leverage our geographic proximity and economic complementarity to share opportunities, meet challenges head on, pursue common development and substantiate the Sino-Pakistan ideal of shared destiny.

This will enable us to create greater benefits for the Chinese and Pakistani peoples, contribute to the stability and prosperity of our region and lead the way in building a community of common destiny in Asia.

We should deepen cooperation on regional and international affairs so as to safeguard the interests and rights of developing nations and contribute to the stability and prosperity of our region and the world at large.

Sino-Pakistan relations have a glorious past and a promising future.

The author is the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan.

(China Daily 05/20/2016 page6)