75 years strong: China-Pakistan friendship celebrated

2026-02-13 - 23:46

The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan was celebrated in Karachi through a logo design competition awards ceremony, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two nations. The event, organized by Irfan Soomro, Director General of MOFA Liaison Office Karachi, showcased creative contributions reflecting the deep historical, cultural, and strategic bonds shared by China and Pakistan. Ms. Nayab Zahra received the third prize for her design, which artfully depicted the connotations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The ceremony was graced by Mr. Yang Yundong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, who distributed prizes and gifts. Diplomats from Malaysia and Indonesia, along with Deputy DG Sadia Gohar Khanum and Assistant to DG Maryum, attended the event. During his address, the Chinese Consul General reflected on the historic journey of the bilateral relationship. “Seventy-five years ago, two great nations joined hands and have never been separated since,” he said. He noted that the partnership, guided by leaders and supported by people on both sides, has evolved from good neighborliness to an unbreakable all-weather strategic cooperative alliance. He cited the foundational roles of Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong, and Premier Zhou Enlai, continued by leaders such as Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari. In Pakistan, this friendship is famously described as “higher than mountains, deeper than the sea, and sweeter than honey,” while in China, Pakistanis are warmly called “BATIE.” Beyond politics, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, has moved into its upgraded “2.0” phase, emphasizing industry, agriculture, and mining to benefit local communities. People-to-people exchanges remain central to the relationship, with young generations encouraged to carry forward the legacy of friendship. The recent visit of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar to China, marking the seventh China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Consultation, officially inaugurated the 75th-anniversary celebrations. As the Chinese Year of the Horse approaches, symbolizing resilience and success, the ceremony carried an auspicious message of “good things coming in pairs,” reflecting hopes for a prosperous and steady future in China-Pakistan relations.