President
Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday termed Pakistan-China strategic
partnership critical for the development, peace and security of the
region and the world and appreciated China’s support to Pakistan in
safeguarding national sovereignty and core national interests.Speaking
at the ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr to celebrate the 60th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Pakistan and China, the President said Pakistan was proud to having
China as a time- tested friend and vowed that the friendship would
continue to grow further in the days to come.The
President thanked Minister Wang Chen for participating in the
celebrations and said that his presence on this historic occasion
illustrates the special relationship between the two countries and also
demonstrates the special feelings of our peoples for one another.
“It is a landmark occasion in our
bilateral relations. Pak-China friendship has withstood the test of time
and it is a friendship that has grown stronger with every passing day,”
the President said and thanked the Chinese leadership for sending their
Special Envoy to participate in the celebrations.
“Today is a day of celebrations of our shared achievements. It is an expression of the true friendship between our peoples,” he said.
He said that this historic occasion reminds us of our shared ideals and goals. “It is yet another marker in our all-weather friendship,” he said and paid glowing tribute to the vision and resolve of the architects of Pakistan-China friendship.
“The founders of this friendship were Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai,” he said and added that together they fashioned the centuries- old contacts between our peoples into a very special relationship that has been built on the foundations of goodwill, warmth and sincerity between the two countries.
“China is our true and most reliable friend and partner and we share each other’s joys and sorrows,” the President remarked.
“We have a common dream. It is a dream for shared peace and prosperity”, the President said and vowed that together we will transform this dream into reality.
The President said that the people of our two countries are determined to build a bright future for themselves and for the region vowing to jointly accomplish this task.
The President on the occasion assured that the great Chinese Nation will always find Pakistan by its side. He also conveyed warm greetings of the people of Pakistan to their Chinese brothers and sisters on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.
He said that the people of Pakistan greatly admire the national accomplishments of the Chinese people, under their wise leadership.
“As China’s closest friend, we truly share the sense of immense pride on China’s great achievements,” he remarked and added that China’s development is a miracle of the modern times.
He said that China’s economic and technological achievements have been a source of inspiration to many, adding that Pakistan has learnt a great deal from China’s economic development model.
Referring to his visits to China, the President said that he has visited various parts of China and met with people of various mind sets to learn from their experiences.
“I have told the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that there are one million people of Pakistani origin in a small country like the United Kingdom then why not a million Chinese in Pakistan and vise versa,” the President remarked.
The President said that the peoples of the two countries are committed to resisting and defeat the enemies of peace and humanity.
He assured that Pakistan will always, support and defend the just cause and core interests of the Chinese Nation - be it Taiwan or Tibet or the fight against extremism.
He said that the people of Pakistan deeply appreciate the support extended by “our Chinese brothers and sisters during the 2005 earthquake, the floods of last year and indeed at all times.
The President said that the time is not far when there will be communication links by train and sea between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Envoy of Chinese Government, Wang Chen said that the two countries have been committed to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, they stayed out of each other’s internal affairs and enjoyed mutual support in international affairs.
He said that all the Pakistani governments have given China firm support on Taiwan, and Tibet and Xinjiang related issues, which concern China’s core interests.
China, he said, has all along supported Pakistan in its efforts to safeguard independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to advance economic and social development.
“ A long-standing China-Pakistan friendship is not only the will of four older generations of leaders, but also our common strategic choice,” he said.
He said that more than 200 Chinese enterprises involving over 13,000 engineers and technicians are now playing their part in uplift of various sectors.
He said the Chinese people will never forget the valuable help form Pakistan at those key moments when the New China sought to break the external blockade, restore its lawful seat at the United Nations and normalise relations with the United States.
“ Our relationships, which are deeper than the Arabian sea, higher than the Himalayan Mountains and sweeter than honey has taken deep roots in the hearts of our people,” he said.
Mr.Wang said that Pakistan is a country with a time-honoured history and splendid civilization.
Quoting a quote of the Founding Father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said, “If you will work in cooperation, you are bound to success.”
He said the Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with the Pakistani side to seize the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, promote the traditional friendship, deepen all-round cooperation, strengthen strategic cooperation and make positive contribution to the well being of the two peoples and to peace and development of the region and beyond.
He concluded his speech with the slogan of “Long Live Pak-China Friendship”.
The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, politicians, President AJK, Governors Punjab, KPK, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan,Chief Ministers Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, Chinese Minister Wang Chen, Ministers,Parliamentarians, Services Chiefs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, diplomats, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, dignitaries from China and other officials.
A documentary film on Pakistan-China friendship and diplomatic relations was also shown on the occasion highlighting the historic visits of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, President Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to China and the Chinese leadership visits to Pakistan.
The President on the occasion also conferred friendship medals upon Special envoy of China, Wang Chen, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Liu Jian and Deputy Head of Mission for their outstanding contributions to further strengthen the friendship and their commitment to promote ties between the two countries in various fields.
The President also announced conferment of medals upon Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on this special occasion. The medals will be presented to the Chinese President and Premier at Pakistan embassy in Beijing.
Famous singer Jawad Ahmed presented his famous song “Teri Meri Ye Dosti Yunhi Rahe Ta Qayamat’ both in urdu and Chinese languages amid thunders applause from the participants.
Children of local school presented local and Chinese songs on the occasion.
Earlier, Chinese Minister Wang Chen along with his delegation called on the President and discussed Pak- China bilateral relations. Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs was present during the meeting. Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, Liu Jian was also present. APP
“Today is a day of celebrations of our shared achievements. It is an expression of the true friendship between our peoples,” he said.
He said that this historic occasion reminds us of our shared ideals and goals. “It is yet another marker in our all-weather friendship,” he said and paid glowing tribute to the vision and resolve of the architects of Pakistan-China friendship.
“The founders of this friendship were Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai,” he said and added that together they fashioned the centuries- old contacts between our peoples into a very special relationship that has been built on the foundations of goodwill, warmth and sincerity between the two countries.
“China is our true and most reliable friend and partner and we share each other’s joys and sorrows,” the President remarked.
“We have a common dream. It is a dream for shared peace and prosperity”, the President said and vowed that together we will transform this dream into reality.
The President said that the people of our two countries are determined to build a bright future for themselves and for the region vowing to jointly accomplish this task.
The President on the occasion assured that the great Chinese Nation will always find Pakistan by its side. He also conveyed warm greetings of the people of Pakistan to their Chinese brothers and sisters on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.
He said that the people of Pakistan greatly admire the national accomplishments of the Chinese people, under their wise leadership.
“As China’s closest friend, we truly share the sense of immense pride on China’s great achievements,” he remarked and added that China’s development is a miracle of the modern times.
He said that China’s economic and technological achievements have been a source of inspiration to many, adding that Pakistan has learnt a great deal from China’s economic development model.
Referring to his visits to China, the President said that he has visited various parts of China and met with people of various mind sets to learn from their experiences.
“I have told the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that there are one million people of Pakistani origin in a small country like the United Kingdom then why not a million Chinese in Pakistan and vise versa,” the President remarked.
The President said that the peoples of the two countries are committed to resisting and defeat the enemies of peace and humanity.
He assured that Pakistan will always, support and defend the just cause and core interests of the Chinese Nation - be it Taiwan or Tibet or the fight against extremism.
He said that the people of Pakistan deeply appreciate the support extended by “our Chinese brothers and sisters during the 2005 earthquake, the floods of last year and indeed at all times.
The President said that the time is not far when there will be communication links by train and sea between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Envoy of Chinese Government, Wang Chen said that the two countries have been committed to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, they stayed out of each other’s internal affairs and enjoyed mutual support in international affairs.
He said that all the Pakistani governments have given China firm support on Taiwan, and Tibet and Xinjiang related issues, which concern China’s core interests.
China, he said, has all along supported Pakistan in its efforts to safeguard independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to advance economic and social development.
“ A long-standing China-Pakistan friendship is not only the will of four older generations of leaders, but also our common strategic choice,” he said.
He said that more than 200 Chinese enterprises involving over 13,000 engineers and technicians are now playing their part in uplift of various sectors.
He said the Chinese people will never forget the valuable help form Pakistan at those key moments when the New China sought to break the external blockade, restore its lawful seat at the United Nations and normalise relations with the United States.
“ Our relationships, which are deeper than the Arabian sea, higher than the Himalayan Mountains and sweeter than honey has taken deep roots in the hearts of our people,” he said.
Mr.Wang said that Pakistan is a country with a time-honoured history and splendid civilization.
Quoting a quote of the Founding Father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said, “If you will work in cooperation, you are bound to success.”
He said the Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with the Pakistani side to seize the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, promote the traditional friendship, deepen all-round cooperation, strengthen strategic cooperation and make positive contribution to the well being of the two peoples and to peace and development of the region and beyond.
He concluded his speech with the slogan of “Long Live Pak-China Friendship”.
The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, politicians, President AJK, Governors Punjab, KPK, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan,Chief Ministers Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, Chinese Minister Wang Chen, Ministers,Parliamentarians, Services Chiefs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, diplomats, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, dignitaries from China and other officials.
A documentary film on Pakistan-China friendship and diplomatic relations was also shown on the occasion highlighting the historic visits of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, President Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to China and the Chinese leadership visits to Pakistan.
The President on the occasion also conferred friendship medals upon Special envoy of China, Wang Chen, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Liu Jian and Deputy Head of Mission for their outstanding contributions to further strengthen the friendship and their commitment to promote ties between the two countries in various fields.
The President also announced conferment of medals upon Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on this special occasion. The medals will be presented to the Chinese President and Premier at Pakistan embassy in Beijing.
Famous singer Jawad Ahmed presented his famous song “Teri Meri Ye Dosti Yunhi Rahe Ta Qayamat’ both in urdu and Chinese languages amid thunders applause from the participants.
Children of local school presented local and Chinese songs on the occasion.
Earlier, Chinese Minister Wang Chen along with his delegation called on the President and discussed Pak- China bilateral relations. Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs was present during the meeting. Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, Liu Jian was also present. APP