PCFA KP marks 74th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations

ISLAMABAD: In a vibrant commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China, a distinguished ceremony was held at KP House, Islamabad, on Tuesday last. The event, steeped in symbolism and camaraderie, was hosted by the Honourable Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, and was graced by the presence of Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, along with a constellation of esteemed dignitaries and stakeholders, says a Press release.
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. Each underscored, in their respective capacities, the foundational strength and strategic vitality of the Sino-Pakistani friendship.
In his keynote address, Speaker Swati eloquently 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.
Further, 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.
Yousaf Ayub Khan, President of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), welcomed guests with a warm “Asalam-O-Alaikum & Ni Hao” at an event marking 74 years of diplomatic ties and 40 years of the Peshawar-Urumqi sister-city agreement.
Joined by Honourable Babar Saleem Swati, Excellency Shi Yuanqiang, Arshad Ayub Khan, and Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Khan stressed the need for deeper people-to-people understanding between both nations. He thanked China for its recent support and spoke of renewed pride in the friendship.
Khan also recalled a time when cultural events were common in Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Dera Ismail Khan – activities he hopes to revive with help from the Chinese Embassy.
Looking ahead, he announced plans for Platinum Jubilee celebrations in May 2026, with events across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aimed at bringing both nations even closer.
Adding a compelling layer of insight, 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.
Shi Yuanqiang, in his address, offered an equally resonant appraisal of the bilateral trajectory. He 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 (CPEC) 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 both nations 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.