By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi organised a seminar to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, highlighting what speakers described as an enduring partnership and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
The event brought together Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi Irfan Soomro, Chairperson of KCFR Nadra Panjwani, Dr Junaid Ahmed, Farooq Afzal, FPCCI Senior Vice President, Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin University Muhammad Ali Shaikh, along with diplomats, academics, business leaders, media representatives and members of civil society.
Addressing the seminar, Yang Yundong described China-Pakistan relations as a model of peaceful coexistence, strategic trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. He said the friendship between the two countries had remained strong over decades and had endured changing international circumstances.
Reflecting on his more than three-year tenure in Karachi, which is nearing completion, the consul general expressed gratitude for the support and goodwill extended by the people of Pakistan. He said cooperation in trade, investment, culture and people-to-people exchanges had continued to expand despite various global and regional challenges.
He noted that exchanges between parliamentarians, journalists, students, academics and think tank representatives had played an important role in strengthening mutual understanding. He also highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken by the Chinese Consulate General, including scholarships, solar streetlight projects and donations of medical supplies.
Reviewing the history of bilateral ties, Yang said diplomatic relations were formally established 75 years ago and had since evolved into what both countries describe as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”. He referred to key milestones including high-level visits, the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, and Pakistan’s support for China’s restoration of its seat at the United Nations.
He said Pakistan’s support for the One-China principle and China’s backing of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity had helped build strong political trust between the two sides.
On economic cooperation, Yang said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, had entered a phase of high-quality development and continued to contribute to infrastructure growth, industrial development and regional connectivity in Pakistan.
He also pointed to recent visits by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China, saying they had helped deepen consensus on expanding bilateral cooperation.
DG MOFA Liaison Office Karachi Irfan Soomro said Pakistan was the first country to recognise China and that both nations had consistently supported each other over the past 75 years. He said the relationship had evolved into a strong and resilient bond, and described recent leadership exchanges as a reflection of the “all-weather” partnership.
Speakers from the business community and academia also paid tribute to the long-standing relationship, while participants acknowledged the significance of the 75th anniversary as a milestone in Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.
