Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the enduring bilateral friendship as a bond built on mutual trust, unwavering support, and deep affinity between their peoples.

Addressing a reception hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that this year Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

The Prime Minister extended felicitations to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the occasion and said that the celebration of China's Founding Day is always close to the hearts of the Pakistani people.

He said China's historic transformation and its growing contribution to global peace, stability, and development continue to inspire countries around the world, particularly Pakistan.

He also expressed Pakistan's full endorsement of President Xi Jinping's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, describing them as foundational pillars of a shared future for mankind.

Shehbaz Sharif said the Pakistan-China relationship has grown over seven and a half decades into a special bond based on mutual trust, mutual support, and close ties between the two peoples.

He said Pakistan takes immense pride in our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China, adding that the countries' "iron-clad friendship" has stood the test of time.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a powerful expression of the enduring friendship and shared commitment to a more prosperous future for the two countries.

The prime minister said Pakistan and China are now transitioning towards the next phase, CPEC 2.0, with enhanced focus on industrialization, special economic zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, and mines and minerals.

He particularly highlighted progress in agricultural cooperation, saying the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates has completed their training in China, while another 1,000 are ready to follow. He described the initiative as a valuable investment in the skills and future of Pakistani youth.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan-China relations are the "anchor" of Pakistan's foreign policy and have been nurtured by successive generations of leaders.

Recalling his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, he said their warm and productive discussions had reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two countries.

He said Pakistan remains fully committed to implementing the important consensus reached between the leadership of the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

He reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue moving forward hand in hand with China towards building an ever-closer Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong described China and Pakistan as "all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad brothers" and welcomed the growing resilience and vitality of Pakistan's economy under Prime Minister Shehbaz's leadership.

He said this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, adding that the journey of the past 75 years has demonstrated that the two countries are friends who have been supporting each other through thick and thin.

The ambassador also highlighted the expansion of practical economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade reached 16.44 billion dollars from January to July, up 13.4 percent year-on-year.

He said bilateral agricultural trade stood at around 830 million dollars during January-August, an increase of 45 percent year-on-year, while China continues to rank first in terms of investment in Pakistan, accounting for 60.7 percent of total foreign investment attracted by Pakistan, including Hong Kong.

Ambassador Jiang said China is ready to work with Pakistan to further deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in industry, agriculture, and mining, and to advance the high-quality development of CPEC 2.0 and an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.

He also outlined plans for cooperation in livelihood projects, including the construction of 100 clean water stations, upgrading of 1,000 smart classrooms, and distribution of 100,000 school kits in Balochistan.

He said China will further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in health, education, climate change, and other fields, alongside expanded exchanges among universities, think tanks, youth, and women.

The ambassador further said China will deepen defence, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan, while maintaining close international coordination and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries.

The event concluded with the cake-cutting ceremony led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Chinese Ambassador.

The event was also attended by Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Musadik Masood Malik, and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, PM's Coordinator Rana Ihsaan Afzal and SAPM Tariq Fatemi, besides members of the diplomatic corps.