Qaisar Mansoor
Everlasting and unprecedented bilateral friendship and strong diplomatic relations are all weather strategic cooperative partnership based on mutual trust, respect and goodwill between Pakistan and China, which began on May 21, 1951, during this long period
Pakistan-China relations are indeed an exemplary illustration of bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership. Over the years, the two sides have built an All-Weather Friendship embedded in the hearts of their people. Recent visit by PM Imran Khan is the practical manifestation of this strong Pakistan-China multi-dimensional partnership. The visit and following developments negate propaganda spread by skeptics that Pakistan-China relation had become stagnant.
Pakistan and China pledged to support each other at all levels by all means. Sino-Pak friendship also underpins Strategic stability in South Asia and reduces volatility. PM Khan’s China visit has been historic success by every parameter. Chinese leadership appreciated PM Imran Khan’s participation in the winter Olympic Games as a mark of iron brotherhood and solidarity between Pakistan and China.
Both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen institutional linkages at all levels. During their interactions the leaders of the two countries held in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional and international political landscape.
The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, strategic mutual trust and commonality of views that characterize the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Both sides agreed to continue the momentum in defence cooperation at various levels between the armed forces of Pakistan and China.
They underscored that stronger defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China was an important factor of peace and stability in the region. The leaders agreed to task the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to strengthen cooperation across all areas including in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture modernization, scientific and technological cooperation and socio-economic well-being of local people.
Noting close bilateral cooperation in the areas of health, environment and ICT, the two sides agreed to launch the China-Pakistan health, industry, trade, green and digital corridors. Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Center, relevant Security Council resolution and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral action that complicate the situation. Chinese side appreciated Pakistan for hosting the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan on 19 Dec 2021. The two sides agreed to continue their close cooperation on Afghanistan in the future. Pakistan PM Imran’s China visit has historical significance. It was deemed by skeptics that Sino-Pakistan relations are slowing down CPEC has lost its momentum; however, PM Imran khan’s recent visit to China has negated this perception. Chinese leadership not only showed confidence in incumbent Pakistani leadership but also pledged to further bilateral relation.
Over the past seven decades, Pak-China fraternal relations have withstood the vicissitudes of time, and grown from strength to strength, unaffected by changes in the regional and international environment. With unrelenting efforts of successive generations in the two countries, the relationship has transformed into an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”.
Pakistan-China relationship is characterized by deep mutual trust, understanding and commonality of interests. This unique, time-tasted, and ironclad brotherhood has scaled many peaks. Pak-China support each other in respective core interests. Pakistan has always upheld the “One-China Policy” and supported China on Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, and South China Sea issues. China has stood by Pakistan in supporting Pakistan’s key strategic, economic, and developmental priorities. The people and government of Pakistan deeply value China’s just and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
