Bilateral Ties
The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, has reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China, emphasizing that ties between the two nations are advancing rapidly in a positive direction.
His remarks came during a special ceremony held to mark the departure of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates to China for higher education and specialized training.
Ambassador Jiang highlighted that the ongoing progress in Pak-China relations is exemplified by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent official visit to China. The visit, which occurred shortly after Prime Minister Sharif assumed office, included high-level discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders reportedly exchanged views on a range of bilateral matters and reached a mutual consensus on strengthening strategic cooperation in multiple sectors.
Jiang underscored that President Xi Jinping places great value on maintaining strong relations with neighboring countries and that China’s foreign policy continues to prioritize fostering friendly and cooperative ties. He pointed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a cornerstone of this collaboration, noting that CPEC represents a flagship project under China’s global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
According to Jiang, China has invested approximately $25.4 billion in CPEC-related projects, which have generated employment opportunities and stimulated infrastructure development across Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also spoke at the event, praised the educational initiative as a transformative step for Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He expressed deep appreciation to the Chinese government for providing scholarships and facilitating advanced training for Pakistani students.
The premier recounted his visit to a leading agricultural university in China, where he was inspired by the innovative research and cutting-edge technology in use. He stated that this exposure prompted the decision to send Pakistani graduates abroad to bring back modern agricultural practices.
Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the merit-based selection of students, assuring the public that transparency was maintained throughout the process.
He expressed confidence that these students would return equipped with valuable knowledge and technical expertise that could modernize Pakistan’s agriculture sector and benefit local farmers.
Officials from both countries echoed that the program is expected to deepen bilateral ties, boost sustainable agricultural development, and contribute positively to Pakistan’s overall economic growth.
