Pakistan, China mark 70 years of diplomatic relations
Commemorative stamp unveiled, book launched to re-emphasise friendship
Islamabad: Pakistan and China are celebrating seven decades of diplomatic ties established on May 21, 1951, only two years after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
In fact, Pakistan was the third non-communist and the first Muslim country to recognize China and since then diplomatic relations between the two countries have turned into strategic partnership which is further strengthened by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) signed on May 22, 2013 during ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government.
The current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is not only pursuing various projects under the CPEC, it is also exploring new avenues of cooperation with China.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, a colourful commemorative stamp was jointly unveiled on Friday by Ambassador of China Nong Rong and Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed.
Higher than Himalaya
“The issuance of the commemorative stamp marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations reflects the time-tested, everlasting friendly relations between Pakistan and China,” said Murad Saeed while addressing the ceremony.
These friendly relations, he said, were higher than Himalayas and deeper than oceans.
Ambassador Nong Rong also termed the China-Pakistan relations were destined to better the socio-economic conditions of the entire region.
The commemorative stamp shows ports of Pakistan and China, Gwadar and Zhuhai, on each side.
Book on Pakistan-China relations launched
A book was also launched on the eve of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
The book entitled “Higher than Karakoram: Seven Decades of Pakistan-China partnership” details various phases in Pakistan-China relations.
China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised the book-launch.
While addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Nong Rong said Pakistan and China enjoyed deep-rooted, friendly relations which would further strengthen in the days to come.
Among those who spoke on the occasion were Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Moinul Haque, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to China, Naghmana Hashmi, Ambassador Masood Khalid, Dr. Di Yuna and Dr. Li Jingfeng.