In a vibrant commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, a distinguished ceremony was held at KP House, Islamabad, on June 3. The event, steeped in symbolism and camaraderie, was hosted by the Honorable Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Babar Saleem Swati along with a constellation of esteemed dignitaries and stakeholders.

Organized under the auspices of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association (PCFA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter, the gathering served as a potent testament to the time-tested, resilient, and multidimensional relationship that has endured and flourished across nearly three-quarters of a century.

Among the luminaries in attendance were provincial ministers Arshad Ayub Khan and Nazir Abbasi; PTI KP President Junaid Akbar; as well as Ali Asghar Khan and Arif Ahmadzai. In their respective capacities, they emphasized the foundational strength and strategic vitality of the Sino-Pakistani friendship.

In his keynote address, Swati traced the historical arc of the bilateral relationship, recalling Pakistan's pioneering recognition of the People's Republic of China in 1950. He celebrated the enduring 40-year sister-city relationship between Peshawar and Urumqi and looked ahead to the 30th anniversary of the Abbottabad-Kashgar partnership in 2027. He proposed that Mansehra—by virtue of its rich heritage along the ancient Silk Road—be considered for a sister-city affiliation with a Chinese counterpart.

The speaker extolled China's exemplary strides in governance, innovation, and public service, advocating for enhanced inter-party dialogue—particularly with the Communist Party of China (CPC). He extended an invitation to a CPC delegation to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026 to jointly mark the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties. Emphasizing strategic convergence, he called for amplified cooperation in domains such as education, clean energy, youth capacity-building, and science and technology.

Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, secretary-general of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, articulated the enduring role of the PCFA-KP as a conduit for people-to-people engagement. He remarked that since its inception in 1970, the association has functioned as a grassroots engine of intercultural diplomacy, launching numerous initiatives over the decades to enhance bilateral affinity. He noted that fresh avenues of collaboration are actively being planned to further reinforce this civilizational bridge between the peoples of the two nations.

In his address, Shi Yuanqiang, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, acknowledged Pakistan's unwavering solidarity during pivotal moments—including the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the devastating floods that struck Pakistan in 2022. Evoking poetic imagery, he described the China-Pakistan friendship as "higher than mountains, deeper than oceans", affirming Beijing's enduring commitment to Islamabad's sovereignty and socio-economic uplift.

Shi commended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's instrumental role in the execution of flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, referencing the Suki Kinari Hydropower Plant, the modernization of the Karakoram Highway, and the development of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone. He also highlighted socio-cultural cooperation, such as the installation of streetlights in Peshawar's Central Park, scholarships for Pakistani students, and vital food aid—efforts that tangibly bridge the hearts of the two peoples.

Looking to the horizon, Shi reiterated China's readiness to deepen engagement across agriculture, clean energy, mineral exploration, e-commerce, and community development, while supporting enhanced subnational diplomacy between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chinese regions such as Xinjiang.

The event concluded on a note of optimism and mutual resolve, with representatives reaffirming their unshakeable commitment to strengthening bonds at the governmental and grassroots levels alike. The shared vision, articulated by all speakers, projected an enduring partnership anchored not merely in geopolitics, but in the ever-deepening affinities between their peoples.

Secretary-General, Pakistan-China Friendship Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, contributed to this report.