ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong has said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperation partners, both countries are determined to further strengthen their iron friendship and all-round cooperation.


Addressing the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese ambassador said that Pakistan is playing an important role at the international level due to its principled stance, broad global vision and high diplomatic insight. Pakistan has played an important role in promoting peace and security in the region and the world by supporting multilateral and international cooperation.


He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly defended Pakistan's national interests during his speech at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and effectively presented Pakistan's position on international and regional issues to the international community.


The Chinese ambassador said that the wonderful journey of Pakistan-China relations in the past 75 years is proof that both countries have stood by each other in happiness and sorrow and supported each other like brothers in every difficult time.


He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has always given importance to practical cooperation between China and Pakistan in various fields, while close communication and cooperation between the two countries is also ongoing at the international level.


Jiang Zedong said that in March, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, during which the two countries jointly issued a five-point initiative to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East.


He said that in September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated in a high-level event related to the Global Development Initiative hosted by China in New York. In his address to the General Assembly, the Prime Minister appreciated the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his initiatives for global peace and development.


The Chinese ambassador said that at a new historical juncture, China is ready to work together with Pakistan to further promote the iron friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries.


He said that China will implement the important consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and the Pakistani leadership and concrete progress will be made on the action plan of "Building a China-Pakistan joint future closer society in the new era".


Jiang Zedong said that China will transform the strength of political mutual trust into a sustainable impetus for cooperation and development, while deepening practical cooperation to achieve results of mutual benefit and common success.


He said that high-quality development of CPEC 2.0 will be pursued by focusing on the three priority sectors of industry, agriculture and mining. The preparation of a modern and improved version of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement will also be accelerated so that trade and investment cooperation can be expanded and deepened.


The Chinese ambassador said more "small but excellent" projects would be launched for public welfare. Construction of 100 clean water centers, upgradation of 1,000 smart classrooms and distribution of one lakh school kits will be expedited in Balochistan.


He said that besides strengthening cooperation in other fields including health, education and climate change, exchanges between universities, think tanks, youth and women will also be expanded so that the foundation of Pakistan-China friendship will be strengthened.


The Chinese ambassador said that China and Pakistan will deepen cooperation in the fields of defense, security and counter-terrorism, all kinds of terrorism will be resolutely fought and strong security cooperation will be ensured for the development and regional stability of both countries.