Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and Chinese Minister for Science and Technology Wang Zhigang attend the Pakistan Day Reception in Beijing on March 22. (People’s Daily Online/Xian Jiangnan)

Beijing, March 23 (People’s Daily Online) - A grand reception was organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing Friday, to celebrate the 79th National Day of Pakistan on March 23, and 2019 as the year of China-Pakistan friendship sister cities and provinces.

Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and Chinese Minister for Science and Technology Wang Zhigang attended the program and delivered speeches. Members of the Pakistani community, diplomatic corps, media representatives and Chinese dignitaries were also present.

Noting that 2019 is the 68th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, Khalid said, “Our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership nurtured over all these years is reaching new heights”, which serves as a model of inter-state relations.

He applauded the continuous momentum of high level interaction, smooth economic and trade cooperation, and stepped up cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts between the two countries, saying “about 25,000 students from Pakistan are studying in China”.

The Ambassador emphasized that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is “a model of win-win cooperation for our two countries as well as for the region”, adding 22 projects are under implementation and Gwadar International Airport will be inaugurated next week.

As China and Pakistan are celebrating 2019 as the year of sister-city relationships, Khalid said both sides would strengthen links in all fields so as to further elevate bilateral relations.

Artists perform Chinese folk music at the Pakistan Day Reception in Beijing, on March 22. (People’s Daily Online/Du Mingming)

Wang said that Pakistan is China’s only all-weather strategic cooperative partner. The friendship between the two countries is well-received by the two peoples and will generate new vigor and vitality, he noted.

Wang applauded the prominent accomplishments of CPEC, noting that it “not only brings benefits to our two peoples and countries but also provides new opportunities in terms of connectivity and economic integration”.

“Together with Pakistan, China will contribute more to peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region and the world,” said Wang.

Pakistani music and dance, and Chinese folk music were performed at the reception. A cultural corner was set up to showcase handicrafts of Pakistan.