Islamabad: July 7, 2021 –(TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi made a keynote speech at the “Pakistan-China at 70: A unique Bilateral Partnership” conference held today by the Pak-China Institute in Islamabad. FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Mushahid Hussain, and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi presented the opening remarks at the conference.
FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi via a tweet stated that he felt delighted to become a part of the conference. China and Pakistan are Iron Brothers. The 70th anniversary of our diplomacy is an opportunity to celebrate and to reaffirm our determination to build on the successes of the last seven decades, said FM Qureshi in his tweet.
FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi started his speech by welcoming and thanking chairman Pak-China institute and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Nong Rong and all the other attendees. He stated that he felt pleased and honored to participate in a conference organized to celebrate the historic year for the people of China and Pakistan as 70 years of cooperation are completed between the two nations. He also congratulated CPC on the 100th anniversary.
FM stated that the relations between both nations are deeply rooted. Traditionally both nations have stood with each other in difficult times and so happened in the COVID circumstances. He mentioned that President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi visited China in the peak COVID times to express solidarity with China in its fight against COVID.
Vis- a vis China also stood firm with Pakistan in its fight against COVID 19 by providing medical assistance and timely vaccination aid and supplies to Pakistan.
While talking about CPEC, FM Qureshi mentioned that Pakistan’s focus has shifted from geopolitics to geoeconomics and CPEC compliments the geo-economic approach of Pakistan. He further said that the tremendous growth of CPEC despite the current COVID circumstances shows the shared commitment of Pakistan and China towards prosperity.
The growing contact between people of China and Pakistan constitutes one of the most important and promising aspects of our bilateral relations, said Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He further mentioned that almost 30,000 students are getting benefits from the outclass education system in China and that various Universities in China have also started the Urdu language and Pakistan studies department while five Confucius Institutes are also operational in Pakistan.
These steps are enhancing the cultural understanding between the two nations, FM stated. FM said that the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations is very important for both the nations and to celebrate it, both sides have decided to conduct events throughout the year.
While concluding the speech Shan Mahmood Qureshi thanked the Pak-China Institute for organizing the event. ‘When I say that we look forward to multifaceted and friendly relations with China in the future, I am confident that I am reiterating the dreams and ambitions of every Pakistani. This would not only serve the best interests of our two countries, but it would also ensure peace, sustainability, advancement, and regional stability and beyond’ FM Qureshi quoted.
