ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, met with the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, on Tuesday, expressing that Pakistan considers China one of its closest allies.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to mutual trust, respect, and goodwill during the meeting, which aimed to deepen friendship and enhance cooperation, particularly in economics, trade, and investment, stated a news release from the Senate Secretariat.
Gilani highlighted the historic ties between Pakistan and China, tracing back over 2,000 years to the ancient Silk Road, which served as a bridge between the two civilizations. He noted the strong amity that has characterized their relationship since the establishment of diplomatic ties in May 1951, emphasizing that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China.
Paying tribute to visionaries like former Prime Ministers Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, as well as Chinese leaders, he acknowledged their significant contributions to solidifying the enduring relationship.
Recalling his own tenure as Prime Minister, Gilani stressed the importance of high-level interactions in consistently strengthening bilateral relations. He also underscored the vital role of parliamentary cooperation, mentioning recent visits by Pakistani delegations aimed at advancing this partnership.
On security matters, he condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals involved in development projects within the country.
He emphasized that any attack on Chinese citizens would be seen as an attack on Pakistan itself, reflecting the solidarity between the two nations in combating extremism and terrorism.
Gilani praised the robust defense cooperation between Pakistan and China, noting significant joint projects like the production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and expressing gratitude for China’s ongoing support in enhancing Pakistan’s national defense capabilities.
Economically, the Chairman discussed the progress made under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which serves as a crucial framework for strengthening trade relations.
He highlighted the commendable growth in bilateral trade, with imports from China reaching $13.5 billion and exports to China increasing to $2.707 billion in FY24.
