China, Pakistan vow to further deepen all-weather friendship

Islamabad, May 25: China and Pakistan have vowed here to further deepen the all-weather friendship between the two countries.

The move came as the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday evening held a reception to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

The dinner reception was one of the series of the events being held to celebrate the 65th anniversary of establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, which were formally established on May 21, 1951.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong hosted the reception at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which was attended by Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, National Reforms, and Development Ahsan Iqbal, parliamentarians, diplomats, scholars, intellectuals, analysts, officers from Pakistan's armed forces, and the people from all walks of life.

In his welcome speech, Ambassador Sun paid tribute and gratitude to the people from all walks life for their efforts to promote China-Pakistan relations, saying the friendship between the two peoples has long and enduring history and it would continue with its uniqueness.

"The cornerstones of China-Pakistan relations are equality, sincerity, mutual benefits, mutual assistance, people-oriented and shared prosperity. China-Pakistan relations have become model for the state-to-state relations and social systems. To furthering national prosperity and peoples' well-being, China and Pakistan will always join hands with resolve and build together the community of shared destiny," said Sun.

Addressing the reception gathering, Pakistani President Hussain said "All-weather friendship between Pakistan and China had transformed into a strategic partnership, which is not only a source of stability for the two countries but stands for the development and betterment of humankind. And this friendship has taken roots at the people-to-people level, unaffected by any international development."

Paying tributes to Pakistanis and Chinese who laid their lives during the construction of Silk Road, the president said "this sincere friendship will pass on to our future generations and the world will not only marvel at the exemplary ties but will also greatly benefit from it which will facilitate global peace and stability and open up new avenues of progress and prosperity."

The president and other dignitaries jointly cut a cake to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The guests were also amused by the performances of the Chinese dragon dance and Pakistan's traditional dance by the local artists.

IANS