Ambassador Jiang Zaidong says China and Pakistan remain “all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends”; praises PM Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership and calls for deeper bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (WNP): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has highlighted what he described as Pakistan’s growing economic resilience, expanding international role and commitment to strengthening ties with China, reaffirming Beijing’s readiness to work with Islamabad to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
Addressing a reception held to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Jiang warmly welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other distinguished guests.
He expressed appreciation to individuals and institutions in Pakistan for their continued support for China’s development and their efforts to promote China-Pakistan friendship.
The ambassador particularly appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in the reception shortly after returning to Pakistan from an overseas visit, saying his presence reflected the importance he attached to China-Pakistan relations.
Ambassador Jiang said China and Pakistan were “all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends”, adding that China was pleased to see Pakistan’s economy demonstrating resilience and renewed dynamism.
He highlighted a number of economic indicators, saying that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had risen to around $27 billion by mid-September, the highest level in nearly five years, providing more than three months of import cover.
He said Pakistan’s current-account deficit had declined significantly, while foreign direct investment, services exports, IT exports and business registrations had recorded year-on-year increases. Remittances during the first eight months of the year, he added, had reached around $7.3 billion, showing continued growth.
The Chinese ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s increasing role in international affairs, saying the country had demonstrated what he described as a principled position, broad global vision and diplomatic wisdom.
He noted Pakistan’s role as a member of the United Nations Security Council, its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and resolve international and regional issues, and its advocacy of multilateralism and international cooperation.
Ambassador Jiang also referred to Pakistan’s assumption of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) chairmanship, saying it would provide further opportunities for Pakistan to enhance its international engagement and contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the 87th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Jiang said the Pakistani premier had presented his country’s position on major international and regional issues and demonstrated Pakistan’s role as an important member of the Global South.
He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s personal attention to practical cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly in agriculture.
The ambassador noted Pakistan’s initiative to send 1,000 agricultural professionals to China for advanced training, describing it as an important example of expanding practical cooperation between the two countries.
He said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leaders of China, practical cooperation between the two countries had continued to expand during the year.
Ambassador Jiang also referred to the Prime Minister’s participation in a high-level event on the Global Development Initiative hosted by China in New York in September. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz had expressed appreciation for President Xi Jinping’s leadership and highlighted the importance of China’s global initiatives in promoting a shared future for humanity.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Jiang said China was ready to work with Pakistan to further deepen the friendship and expand cooperation across various fields, with the objective of delivering greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
He said the two sides should work together to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, set an example for cooperation among neighbouring countries and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The ambassador concluded by congratulating the Chinese people on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and expressing his wishes for continued prosperity and well-being for China and Pakistan and for the China-Pakistan friendship to continue from generation to generation.
