AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, May 22, 2016 (PPI-OT):His Excellency Ambassador Sun Weidong,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an absolute pleasure for me to attend today’s cultural performance to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and China. I specially welcome my Chinese friends, especially the artists from Hunan Provincial Performing Art Group, who have travelled all the way from China to participate in this event. It shows the love and close brotherly ties which exist between our two countries.
The 65th Anniversary is not just a formal occasion. It is a unique celebrations of a unique relationship, the like of which will be difficult to find in human history. Relations between countries always experience high-low period, but not between China and Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Strong relations with China were, and are, and will always, remain the bedrock of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The bond between our two countries has received continuous nourishment from the leadership of both sides over the last six decades and specially in the past two years. Higher than Himalayas, Deeper than Oceans, Sweeter than Honey, Dearer than Eyesight, Stronger than Steel, Valuable than Gold, have been used to describe our evergreen relationship. These poetic expressions are not mere words but a manifestation of the warmth and sincere feelings between the leadership and people of our two countries.
CPEC is no doubt, the latest landmark in our relations but our friendship has deep historical roots. Monks and envoys traversed the challenging heights of the Karakorum, Hindukush and the Himalayas to connect the Gandhara and the Indus Valley Civilizations with the Chinese Civilization. Fa Xian and Xuan Zang, in the fourth and seventh centuries respectively, crossed inaccessible altitudes of these mountain ranges. Many scholars from the territory, that is now Pakistan, travelled to China to imbibe the glorious civilization of China.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A question people generally ask is what makes this relationship special. The answer is simple: Absolute mutual trust. The people of our two countries rejoice in each other’s achievements and feel as one during sorrows. Both countries firmly believe in the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference. China has always extended solid support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and independence. Pakistan too has upheld the one-China policy and supported China on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
While our political links are ever strong, the growing economic ties are now galloping under CPEC. China is now our largest trading partner with $18 billion as two way trade.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The cultural event of today reminds us that the best cultural representatives for any country are its artisans and intellectuals, scholars, students, and lawmakers – in short, a country’s best cultural representatives are its people. It is, therefore, imperative that we continue to further expand people to people contacts in the coming years. The people are our greatest asset. They hold the secret behind our everlasting friendship.
At the end, let me congratulate the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy, China Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan National Council of Arts for organizing this wonderful cultural performance.
I thank you. Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship!
For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk