China and Pakistan enjoy a unique, unparalleled and broad-based ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’. Soon after People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949, Pakistan accorded its official recognition to the newly founded country, becoming one of the earliest countries to take this landmark decision. Formal diplomatic ties between our two countries were established subsequently on 21 May 1951 which set the stage for a remarkable journey of friendship that has been profoundly marked by mutual trust, respect and goodwill towards each other. Our iron-brotherhood has withstood the test of time, staying resolute in the face of challenges and undeterred by the vicissitudes of regional and international politics. As our friendship has blossomed in the last 7 decades, it has been able to break new grounds, fulfilling new opportunities to contribute to the progress of our two peoples and the wider international community. Driven by the notions of shared prosperity and common development, our friendship has been a source of peace, stability and harmony in the region and beyond.
A vital expression of our special relationship is unwavering support to each other’s core interests. Pakistan has been unequivocal in its support to the ‘One China Principle’, fully endorsing China’s position on Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong. China has also stood firmly by the side of Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, resolutely endorsing the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and supporting Pakistan at international platforms, including the United Nations.
China and Pakistan maintain close political, strategic and economic coordination through several consultative mechanisms at the Ministerial and Senior Officials Levels. Over the years, these mechanisms have established their efficacy for exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues, identification of new opportunities on the horizon and promoting the sense of China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future, among the peoples of our two countries.
Our development cooperation has been exemplary, especially under the landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Together, we launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under the BRI framework, to set out a shining example of win-win cooperation. Under the first phase of the CPEC, China invested around US$ 25.4 billion in Pakistan, primarily in energy and transport infrastructure sectors. CPEC projects have added 8000 MWs of energy to the national grid; 510 kms of highways; 932 kms of road networks; 820 kms of optical fiber line; and created over 192000 jobs in Pakistan.
Now in its second phase, the CPEC has ushered in high-quality development with its focus on industrialization, green energy, technology and livelihood projects. Our two countries continue to advance CPEC projects through a high level Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), supported by Joint Working Groups (JWG’s) across a wide range of sectors. The CPEC projects are now open to third party participation, underscoring the shared commitment of China and Pakistan to transform CPEC into a conduit of wider economic development and prosperity.
Our two countries are also committed to deepening the bilateral trade ties. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in 2023 valued at USD 20.76 billion. By signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2006, our two countries began a new journey of economic cooperation, extending enhanced market access to each other’s products and services. These efforts received another major impetus in 2019 when the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) was launched. Though the bilateral trade declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since marked a strong recovery for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
Pakistan's main exports to China are copper, cotton yarn, rice, boiled meat, seafood, footwear and surgical instruments, while imports from China primarily include machinery and electronics, electrical equipment, iron and steel products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, plastics and household appliances.
Defense cooperation is a vital component of our bilateral relationship. This cooperation is advanced through structured defense and security talks, joint exercises, training of personnel in each other’s institutions and joint defense production. The militaries of the two countries have established three tiers of bilateral consultations, comprising high-level exchanges, institutional level talks and functional level interactions to enable close coordination at all levels.