Sino-Pakistan friendship to grow further: Ambassador

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“The cooperation between China and Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 is a model of international cooperation. Our all-weather strategic and cooperative partnership is consolidated in addressing this common challenge. China is deeply touched by the firm support it received from Pakistan in its effort to curb the epidemic.” 

This was observed by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Yao, during an interview as both the countries celebrated May 21 as the 69th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties. 

“President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan sent letters of solidarity to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang respectively. President Arif Alvi paid a special visit to China in March this year. Prime Minister Imran Khan made a phone call to President Xi Jinping to express his support for China. Foreign Minister Qureshi held two telephone conversations with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi,” he recalled.

“Pakistan tried its best to mobilize anti-epidemic materials nationwide to support China. The National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan respectively passed resolutions to support China's fight against COVID-19. Many Pakistani people, including Pakistani students studying in China, expressed their support in various ways, reflecting the rock-solid friendship between China and Pakistan,” the Ambassador added. 

“When COVID-19 broke out in Pakistan, China rushed for assistance. The Chinese central and local governments, the military, enterprises, the Red Cross Society of China, and civil society continued to provide Pakistan with urgently needed anti-epidemic materials, including large quantities of testing kits, masks, ventilators, PPEs, medicines and cash to assist Pakistan in establishing a new isolation hospital. China has also held video conferences with Pakistan and sent medical teams to Pakistan for experience sharing and disease prevention and control,” he narrated. 

“Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have overcome difficulties to promote the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained good communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs,” Ambassador Yao remarked. 

“I would like to thank Pakistan for recognizing outstanding contribution of China to international anti-epidemic cooperation and its firm opposition to stigmatize China by certain countries,” he acknowledged. 

“I have every reason to believe that our friendship and cooperation will grow stronger in post COVID-19 era,” the Ambassador reckoned