Pakistan, China to strengthen friendship, expand modernization cooperation: Ambassador Jiang Zaidong

ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP):Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday said that Pakistan and China are committed to strengthening their all-weather friendship by expanding cooperation in modernization, economic development and strategic ties.

“We will continue to share the fruits of Chinese modernization with the world, deliver greater benefits to Pakistan, our iron-clad all-weather friend, and work together to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era”, he stated while addressing a reception here for overseas Chinese communities celebrating National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Addressing the gathering, he hoped that overseas Chinese communities will present a credible, lovable and respectable image of China, and consolidate the social foundation of the iron-clad China-Pakistan friendship.

“We are deeply moved and proud that overseas Chinese compatriots have long served as invaluable people-to-people envoys for China-Pakistan friendship. You have strived diligently in Pakistan, lived in harmony with local communities, devoted yourselves to public welfare, supported the development of the motherland, and actively facilitated bilateral economic, trade and cultural exchanges, he maintained.

The ambassador said that employees of Chinese-funded enterprises, the backbone of China-Pakistan practical cooperation, have stayed committed to front-line work far from home and advanced the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.

He said that it has boosted local economic growth and livelihood improvement and consolidated the foundation of our all-weather friendship with tangible outcomes.

He stated that China and Pakistan will further tap cooperation potential, deliver more win-win outcomes benefiting both peoples, strictly uphold safety discipline and exercise rigorous self-discipline in words and deeds.

Mr. Jiang Zaidong stressed to uphold the fine image of overseas Chinese nationals, make new contributions to national rejuvenation and national development, and write a new chapter for deepening all-weather China-Pakistan strategic cooperation.

In his address, the Ambassador further said that we gathered joyfully today to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of our great motherland and embrace the reunion spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He extended his best festive wishes to all overseas Chinese, employees of Chinese-funded enterprises, media representatives and international students in Pakistan.

Over the past 77 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, he said the Chinese people have strived unremittingly and achieved the historic leap from standing up, growing prosperous to growing strong. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in particular, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, China has secured a complete victory in the fight against poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Highlighting the economic achievements of China, he said the year 2026 marks a sound start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. China’s GDP grew by 4.7 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, with an economic increment of 3.6 trillion yuan, hitting a record high for the same period in the past five years.

In August this year, industrial production continued to accelerate and upgrade. The value added of the equipment manufacturing industry rose by 12.1 percent year-on-year, among which high-tech manufacturing increased by 16.7 percent. The output of lithium-ion batteries and industrial robots surged by 57.2 percent and 34.6 percent respectively.

Foreign trade maintained robust growth. In August, China’s total import and export volume of goods increased by 19.8 percent year-on-year, up 0.6 percentage points from the previous month, with exports rising by 18.6 percent and imports by 21.7 percent. From January to August, exports grew by 14.6 percent and imports by 22 percent, with import growth consistently outpacing export growth. China has undoubtedly grown into a huge global market offering new opportunities for world development.

The ambassador said these figures do not fully represent China’s economic landscape, yet they fully demonstrate that the Chinese economy continues to forge ahead with steady progress, quality improvement and structural upgrading.

From 2020 to 2025, the combined GDP of China’s five ethnic autonomous regions grew from 6.01 trillion yuan to 8.66 trillion yuan, registering an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent, delivering tangible prosperity and improved livelihoods for local people.

Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan will stay true to our original mission, uphold the vision of diplomacy for the people and provide wholehearted services and support for all compatriots, he concluded.