Pakistani Ambassador to China Masood Khalid (6th left) and China’s Transport Minister Yang Chuantang (7th left) together with other dignitaries show a work of calligraphy denoting China-Pakistan friendship at an event in Beijing on March 23 (COURTESY OF EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN IN CHINA )

A grand reception was held to celebrate the joint occasion of Pakistan Day and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China by the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing on March 23. A large gathering of guests attended the reception, including members of the diplomatic community and Chinese dignitaries.

On behalf of the Chinese Government, China's Transport Minister Yang Chuantang delivered a speech at the event, where he extended his congratulations on the 76th anniversary of the Pakistan Resolution and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

Yang spoke highly of the firm China-Pakistan friendship that has withstood 65 years of sometimes challenging international situations. He reiterated that Pakistan is China's all-weather strategic cooperation partner.

The minister also said that China firmly supports Pakistan's efforts to uphold sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, national security and development. He said that China would work with Pakistan to make sure that bilateral cooperation brought more benefits to the people of both countries and the friendship was carried forward from one generation to another. He also mentioned that China-Pakistan relations had maintained strong momentum for development in recent years.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Masood Khalid recalled the frequent visits of top leaders to each other's countries and the cooperation outcomes that have been achieved over the years, including the growth of bilateral trade and progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He expressed his appreciation for the support of the Chinese people, adding that through people-to-people contact, feelings of trust and friendship would travel from generation to generation and the legacy of companionship would continue well into the future.

Other Chinese dignitaries, including: Cao Weizhou, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress; Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, Chief of Office of International Military Cooperation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, also attended the event.

Copyedited by Bryan Michael Galvan

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