Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong (L, front) delivers a speech at a reception to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Sept. 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has hosted a grand reception to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China which falls on Oct. 1.
The event was attended by Mian Raza Rabbani, Chairman of Pakistan's Senate (the upper house), Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, as well as some 1,000 guests, including leaders of political parties, federal ministers, parliamentarians, senior civil and military officers, foreign diplomats, think tanks, media persons, and representatives of Chinese companies working in Pakistan.
In his welcoming speech on Monday evening, Sun Weidong said over the past 10 years, China had made remarkable achievements, becoming the second largest economy and contributing to over 30 percent of global annual growth.
Expressing full confidence in the bright future of China's development, Sun said in the past five years, China has made great achievements.
China adhered to the path of peaceful development, advancing reform and opening up, and firmly promoting mutual beneficial and win-win cooperation, he said.
The China-Pakistan model relations have entered a golden age, said the ambassador, adding that the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been playing an important role in Pakistan's economic and social development, and brought great benefits to the two peoples.
Raza Rabbani, on behalf of the Pakistani government and Parliament, felicitated the Chinese government, the Chinese ambassador in Pakistan and people of China on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Rabbani stressed the importance of China-Pakistan relations, saying that this friendship is like a banyan tree because its long and strong roots are shared principles of respect for each other and of the fight against expansionism, extremism, hegemony, and financial imperialism.
The Senate chairman said development and economic projects initiated by China in Pakistan are remarkable, and promised that Pakistan will stand with China at every stage as both sides have a common vision.
