The Communist Party of China and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party met online to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of the exchanges between the two parties on May 26 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party met online on May 26 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, and the 10th anniversary of exchanges between the two political parties. 

"Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two countries have been closely united in the fight against the pandemic, and Pakistan was the first country to receive vaccine assistance from China. This further enhanced the friendship between China and Pakistan," said Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC).   

Song suggested that the two sides take the opportunity of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations to give full play to the role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, and to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries at a higher level, in a wider scope and at a deeper level. 

Song said that China-Pakistan inter-party relations are an important channel for the two countries to deepen strategic mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and consolidate the foundation of public opinion.  

He added that the CPC is willing to strengthen strategic communication with the PTI, deepen learning from each other’s experience in governing their respective countries, promote the high-quality development of CPEC through party consultation, continue to firmly support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns, jointly cope with changes in the international and regional situation and various risks and challenges, and play an exemplary role in building a community of a shared future. 

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Vice President of the PTI and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, congratulated China on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, spoke highly of achievements made by the CPC while fighting the pandemic, as well as its economic development, poverty alleviation and fighting of corruption. Qureshi also praised China’s development as setting an example for the vast number of developing countries, including Pakistan.  

Qureshi said that Pakistan cherishes its friendly cooperation with China and thanks China for its valuable help in fighting the pandemic. The PTI will take the anniversary as an opportunity to jointly implement the strategies agreed upon by the leaders of the two parties and the two countries, strengthen the exchange of experience in governing the party and the country, continue to promote the cooperation under CPEC, and push forward the all-weather strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. 

The meeting also included a signing ceremony for the Action Plan for Exchange and Cooperation between the CPC and the PTI (2021-23). 

Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of the IDCPC, presided over the meeting. Arshad Dad, Vice President of the PTI, and Nong Rong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, also attended the event. 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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