Pakistan-China friendship reflects national consensus: Senate Chairman

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan-China friendship is an enduring bond of brotherhood rooted in mutual trust, respect and unwavering support, enjoying broad political support across Pakistan and reflecting a national consensus.

Addressing a seminar in Islamabad as chief guest, he said Pakistan and China were “iron brothers” and strategic partners who had consistently stood by each other in difficult times. The seminar was attended by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, a visiting delegation from the Party Building Research Institute of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), representatives of Pakistani political parties and other prominent personalities.

At the outset, the chairman conveyed a special message from President Asif Ali Zardari, who welcomed the CPC delegation and representatives of Pakistani political parties. The president said Pakistan-China friendship had stood the test of time and continued to promote the mutual interests of the two countries and their peoples.

President Zardari said such exchanges provided an opportunity for political parties to learn from each other’s experiences in party development, governance and state administration, while promoting mutual understanding.

He appreciated the achievements of the Communist Party of China in leading China’s development and prosperity, saying China’s experience offered valuable lessons for strengthening institutional capacity and improving governance.

Chairman Senate said Pakistan-China relations had evolved beyond traditional diplomatic ties into a comprehensive partnership based on mutual trust, respect and shared interests. He stressed that sustained political, parliamentary and institutional engagement was essential to further consolidate bilateral relations and promote people-to-people understanding.

He said political parties had an important role in ensuring the continuity and sustainability of national policies and strategic partnerships.

Referring to China’s remarkable development, Gilani said China’s experience offered valuable lessons for developing countries, particularly in governance, institutional strengthening, economic development, poverty alleviation, human resource development and technological advancement.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the One-China policy and appreciated China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national development. He described China as a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership.

Chairman Senate congratulated the Chinese leadership and people on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and emphasized the importance of party-to-party contacts and exchanges in promoting mutual understanding and institutional learning.

He expressed confidence that growing political, parliamentary and party-level engagement would create new opportunities for cooperation and mutual learning between the two countries.

Gilani also appreciated the continued support extended to Pakistan by the Chinese leadership and people, saying the Pakistan-China friendship held a unique and deeply cherished place in the hearts of the Pakistani people.

Earlier, a Chinese delegation led by Liu Dashiu, First-Level Inspector of the Party Building Research Institute of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, called on Chairman Senate.

Welcoming the delegation, Gilani appreciated the growing contacts and exchanges between the Communist Party of China and Pakistan’s political parties and institutions. He said party-to-party exchanges provided an effective platform for dialogue and sharing experiences in political party development, governance and state administration.

Recalling his visit to China during his tenure as prime minister, Gilani said his meetings with the Chinese leadership had been highly productive. He said Pakistan-China relations were historical in nature and that the peoples of both countries deeply valued their enduring bonds of friendship.