Pakistan, China share deep historical and cultural ties: PM Shehbaz
Pakistan
He said that the friendship and relations between Pakistan and China are as old as the Silk Road
(Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the Pakistan-China will achieve the goal of development together, and no one can separate them as they are historically and culturally connected to each other.
The premier, who reached Tianjin on Saturday on an official visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, was addressing the faculty and students of Tianjin University.
Prime Minister Shehbaz that the university’s graduates have played a vital role in China’s development. Currently, more than 200 Pakistani students are studying at Tianjin University.
He recalled his first visit to the university in 2017 and praised it as an excellent institution of learning and knowledge, which has produced some of the best scientists and thinkers. “It is a matter of pride for me to be at university again,” he added.
He said that Pakistani students are ambassadors of the country. After graduating from the university, they should play a significant role in the development of the country. The Pakistan-China friendship is based on mutual trust, respect, and sincere affection. This friendship has stood strong through every test, and both countries have supported each other in every difficulty.
The prime minister said that the friendship and relations between Pakistan and China are as old as the Silk Road. The countries are historically and culturally connected to each other. The Karakoram Highway is a great project symbolizing the friendship between the two countries.
He stated that Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognise China. The first international flight to Beijing took off from Karachi 60 years ago.
Shehbaz said that China’s success in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty is a model for the world. China today is a major economic and military power, and we take pride in our strong friendship with China.
He said that President Xi Jinping’s vision of shared prosperity has captivated the world. The welfare of the people is the priority of the Chinese government. President Xi’s vision of poverty eradication and shared prosperity is a guiding light for us.
The prime minister said that poverty alleviation is a priority of Pakistan government. Pakistan’s population is comprised of 60 percent youth. Currently, 30,000 Pakistani students are studying in China, benefiting from modern research, contemporary education, and technical skills. Vocational training is a need of the time. Positive results have emerged from cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese universities in the field of education.
He said that Pakistani studied agriculture in China. With the cooperation of Chinese companies, programmes are underway to skill Pakistani youth in the IT sector.
The premier stated that the torch of Pakistan-China friendship now lies in the hands of the youth. He called on everyone to come together and write a new chapter of progress and prosperity.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz met with Pakistani students studying at Tianjin University and was briefed about the university.
