Pakistan-China relationship had a time-honored history and now the economic cooperation supplements the strategic cooperation, said Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations. 

“The bilateral relationship, based on the principles of mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual trust, has been transformed into an ‘all-weather strategic cooperative partnership’ and is an anchor for peace, stability, and development in the region,” he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper in a virtual ceremony to mark the occasion in which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Li was also participating. 

Qureshi also said the upcoming visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping would further elevate the ties between the two nations.

The early part of the relations was focused on political and strategic cooperations, he said, adding the economic cooperation later boosted the relationship. The two countries had stood together in rain or shine, and built an exceptional iron-clad relationship, he added. 

“Pakistan adheres to ‘One-China policy’ and China has stood by us in supporting our key strategic, economic, and developmental priorities,” he said. During the event, he also mentioned the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the project has now entered into the second phase and will focus on industrialization, agriculture, and socio-economic relations.