ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on China’s National Day, paying tribute to the Chinese nation’s resilience, unity and indomitable spirit.
Addressing a ceremony marking China’s National Day in the federal capital, the prime minister said it was a pleasure for him to attend the event and highlighted China’s important role in promoting global peace, stability and development.
He said China had achieved remarkable progress under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, particularly in human development, science, technology and innovation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said 2026 held special significance in the longstanding Pakistan-China relationship as the two countries were celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He said the people of Pakistan and China were connected by strong bonds of friendship and that the relationship had stood firm through every challenge, including earthquakes, storms and floods.
The prime minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) represented the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to a prosperous future.
He said Pakistan and China were now entering the next phase of CPEC, known as CPEC-II, with particular focus on industrialization, special economic zones and information technology. Artificial intelligence, agriculture, mining and minerals would also form part of the new phase, he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates had already completed training in China, while another group of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates was preparing to travel to China for training.
“Investing in the capabilities of our youth is, in fact, an investment in Pakistan’s future,” he said.
The prime minister described Pakistan-China relations as a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said his meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier this year had reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan remained committed to implementing the understandings reached between the leadership of Pakistan and China.
Quoting a Chinese saying, the prime minister said that a sincere friend in a distant land brings distant places closer, adding that the saying aptly reflected the deep friendship and close ties between Pakistan and China.