Reception held to mark Pakistan Day in China

BEIJING: A grand reception was held in Beijing to celebrate the 79th Pakistan Day by Embassy of Pakistan in a served that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) construction had achieved renowned accomplishment during the last five years.

“It has not only brought benefits to not only people of our two people and countries but also provided new opportunities to this region for upgrading inter connectivity and economic integration,” he added.

The minister recalled Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China in November last and said the leaders of two countries agreed unanimously to further enhance all weather strategic cooperation between the two countries and make the community of shared future for China and Pakistan in the new era.

Welcoming the distinguished guests, Ambassador Masood Khalid said that Pakistan Day was celebrated every year on 23rd March to pay homage to the founders of Pakistan.

He said this year Pakistan and China completed 68 years of their diplomatic relations. “Our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” nurtured over all these years is reaching new heights and is a model in inter-state relations.

Ambassador Khalid said the launch of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a flagship project of BRI had added a new chapter in Pak-China friendship. CPEC was making steady progress in the agreed areas. At present 22 projects were under implementation. ”Next week, we will witness the inauguration of Gwadar International Airport.”

In the outgoing year, both the countries maintained the momentum of high level interaction. Pakistan was represented at the Head of State and Head of Government level in SCO Qingdao Summit, BOAO Forum and First Shanghai International Import EXPO.

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid his first official visit to China in November. Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission General Zhang Youxia, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid official visits to Pakistan. Foreign Minister of Pakistan was here three days ago. This year, he hoped for more higher level interaction.

He said bilateral cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts had also intensified in recent years promoting goodwill and friendship between the two nations. About 25,000 students from Pakistan were studying here.

Ambassador Khalid said in the field of Science & Technology, both countries were implementing a cooperation agreement entailing training programmes, research projects and academic exchanges.

He said Pakistan and China were celebrating 2019 as the year of Sister-city relationships, adding, “We will continue to strengthen our linkages in all fields and further elevate our bilateral relations.”

A cake cutting ceremony took place wherein the Ambassador, Chief Guest, and other dignitaries cut the cake.

A stunning cultural performance by a Chinese singer who sang a number of Pakistani national songs enthralled the audience.