Pakistan-China Partnership: Bridging Nations, Building Communities.

The tale of Pakistan-China relations is not an ordinary one. It is an account of brotherhood, friendship and trust whose foundations were laid more than seventy years ago. The vision of the leadership of our two countries at the time laid a solid basis for a relationship, which has subsequently been carefully nurtured into a robust, vibrant, time-tested, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. Pakistan and its people, I can say with absolute confidence, value the relationship greatly, and proudly call China our 'Best Friend'. It is heart-warming that in China, the term 'Ba Tie' (Iron Brother), is reserved only for Pakistan.

The timeless Pakistan-China partnership and deep-rooted friendship serves the interest of both countries, being the historic choice of our people. Pakistan's relations with China remain the cornerstone of our foreign policy. The close time-tested friendship with China enjoys the abiding support of the people of Pakistan.

With a time-honored history of brotherhood, our two countries have stood together in rain or shine, building an exemplary 'iron-clad' friendship. Despite the vicissitudes of times and changes in international landscape, the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has grown into a towering tree with its deep roots of love in the hearts of the two peoples. The bond of love and affection, that the peoples of the two countries have for each other, indeed remains 'higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea and sweeter than honey'.

Zhou Enlai, China's first Premier, once said, that the friendly interactions between the peoples of China and Pakistan date back to the dawn of history. Certainly, Pakistan-China relations are the continuation of ancient civilizational bonds that had existed between our two nations since ancient times. The flow of trade through the ancient Silk Road and geographical proximity brought the two great Asian civilizations together. Monks and thinkers from China made their historical journeys to Taxila and other Buddhist places in Pakistan, painting a beautiful picture of Gandhara civilization and bringing Buddhist wisdom to China, thus binding the two nations together in an everlasting bond.

The historical evolution of Pakistan-China relationship, and its growing importance in the wake of evolving regional and global developments, remains an exemplary model of inter-state relationship.

The unique relationship of seven decades, underpinned by the rationale of strong...