ISLAMABAD, Monday, April 21, 2025 (WNP): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Pakistan, pledging to accelerate efforts toward building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

In an article marking the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, titled “Advance the Building of China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future Under the Guidance of President Xi Jinping,” Ambassador Jiang highlighted the remarkable progress achieved over the past decade.

Recalling President Xi’s 2015 visit, Jiang noted that it was during this historic occasion that the two countries established the world’s first all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and charted a new course for bilateral relations.

“Over the past decade, China and Pakistan have supported each other through thick and thin, advancing their relationship with a high level of mutual trust,” he wrote. Citing President Xi, Jiang emphasized that the friendship between the two nations is built on “trust and mutual support” and serves as a model for international relations.

Jiang also pointed to joint efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s support for Pakistan during the 2022 floods as examples of the two countries’ enduring solidarity.

Highlighting frequent high-level exchanges, the ambassador referenced Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China in June 2024, Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Pakistan in October, and President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China earlier this year. He noted that political trust between the two nations continues to deepen, with key meetings setting strategic directions for future cooperation.

Ambassador Jiang underscored China’s commitment to inclusive development in Pakistan, noting that CPEC projects such as the transformation of Gwadar into a regional hub, the Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant, the Orange Line Metro in Lahore, and year-round operations at the Khunjerab Pass are examples of tangible progress.

According to Jiang, CPEC has so far attracted $25.4 billion in direct investment, created 236,000 jobs, developed 510 kilometers of highways, produced over 8,000 megawatts of electricity, and constructed 886 kilometers of core transmission lines in Pakistan.

He stated that bilateral trade has surpassed $23 billion and highlighted that 2025 marks a pivotal year — both for China’s deepening reforms and Pakistan’s launch of the “Uraan Pakistan” development plan. Jiang expressed China’s readiness to align strategic goals, deepen practical cooperation, and create a new model of South-South cooperation.

On security cooperation, Jiang highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Global Security Initiative during President Zardari’s recent visit, reinforcing China and Pakistan’s joint response to regional and global security challenges.

“We are ready to deepen security cooperation, firmly support Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, and jointly tackle non-traditional security threats such as climate change and natural disasters,” he asserted.

The ambassador also praised the growing people-to-people exchanges, noting that Pakistan remains among the top three countries for student enrollment in China and scholarship recipients. He highlighted the establishment of Urdu programs at Chinese universities, the launch of the CPEC University Consortium, and cultural collaborations including the popular film Batie Girl and the Gandhara Art Exhibition.

Jiang emphasized the importance of cultural ties, citing President Xi’s call to translate strong political relations into vibrant cultural engagement and mutual learning.

Looking ahead, Jiang said China is committed to implementing the outcomes of the recent CPC Central Conference on neighboring countries, which emphasized strengthening community-building efforts through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

“We must take solid steps while staying ambitious, continuing to write the story of joint efforts and shared prosperity through high-quality CPEC development and vibrant cooperation,” he concluded.