China’s 76th anniversary marked in Islamabad with reaffirmation of iron-clad ties

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” as Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani joined celebrations hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Addressing the reception, Gillani congratulated China’s leadership and people, praising their historic journey from revolution in 1949 to becoming a global economic and technological power under the guidance of Chairman Mao Zedong, successive leaders, and President Xi Jinping.

He hailed China’s success in lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty as a “true miracle,” crediting the Communist Party of China (CPC) for driving reforms and innovation. Gillani also endorsed President Xi’s vision of building “a community with a shared future for mankind,” noting its strong resonance with Pakistan’s policy of regional cooperation and geo-economic integration.

The Senate Chairman emphasized that Pakistan-China ties go beyond government-to-government relations, being deeply rooted in trust, shared values, and people-to-people linkages. He recalled China’s consistent support for Pakistan during natural disasters and crises, and praised ongoing defence cooperation, including the JF-17 Thunder program and induction of J-10C fighter jets.

On the economic front, Gillani reiterated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remains a flagship initiative of the partnership, describing Gwadar Port as the “gateway of prosperity” for the entire region. He noted that the recent MoUs signed during President Zardari’s China visit—covering textiles, livestock, and emergency equipment—would further cement bilateral cooperation.

The Senate chief paid tribute to the visionaries of Pakistan-China friendship, including Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Chairman Mao, and Premier Zhou Enlai, asserting that the two nations were “destined to walk together through history.”