ISLAMABAD: China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong Wednesday said Islamabad and Beijing have upgraded their bilateral relations to an all-weather strategic cooperation partnership.
“We have upgraded our bilateral relations to all-weather strategic cooperation partnership. I am convinced that with our joint efforts, our friendship will grow much stronger; our strategic cooperation will be much more solid and the Community of China-Pakistan Shared Destiny will be realised at an early date,” he told the launching ceremony of a book, ‘You and Us’, compiled by ex-Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Lu Shulin, at a local hotel.
The ambassador said the Pakistani people despite having different backgrounds in terms of cultures and languages are united in their support for the China-Pakistan friendship. “Because of this consensus, the China-Pakistan friendship could eventually transform into a big river which crosses over the forests, plains and enrich all the living creatures,” he told the ceremony.
The ambassador said with the implementation of China-Pakistan economic corridor, people-to-people exchanges and the progress of a number of substantive cooperation projects, more and more young people have joined the ranks of participating and supporting China-Pakistan friendship. “Right now, there has emerged a new vocabulary on China-Pakistan friendship and there is an upsurge among the Pakistani young people to learn Chinese. Indeed, fresh vitality has been brought out of the China-Pakistan friendship,” he said.
The envoy said publication of the book will be a gift for the year. “It will surely enhance the mutual understanding, mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples, as well as encourage and inspire more people to be engaged in promoting friendship between the two countries,” he said, and added, “Let’s work together to embrace the promising future of China-Pakistan relationship.”
The book unfolds in-depth and historical perspective of the two countries’ relationship that is rooted in the hearts of their people. The book contains stories written by veteran diplomats and celebrities who have long been engaged in friendly exchanges between the two countries. It carries memories of those leaders and diplomats who played their role in developing the friendship into an iron-brotherhood.
A delegation of former Chinese ambassadors to Pakistan also attended the ceremony, that was arranged by the Chinese embassy in collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies.
Ahsan Iqbal hoped the CPEC will further cement relationship between two countries for their mutual benefit. “This mega project has transformed our relationship into the community of shared destiny. Now, the two countries are moving towards geo-economic partnership to improve the living conditions of their people,” he added.