Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to continue moving forward hand in hand with China towards building an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era.

He was addressing a ceremony held in Islamabad today in connection with the 77th National Day of the People's Republic of China.

The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the people of China on their National Day.

He said China has played a pivotal role in global peace, stability, and development and has achieved unprecedented progress in human development, infrastructure, science, technology, and innovation under President Xi Jinping's leadership.

He said the relationship between the two countries has grown stronger over the years and their iron-clad friendship has withstood the test of time, including earthquakes, storms, and floods.

Shehbaz Sharif said the two countries are entering the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with an enhanced focus on industrialization, Special Economic Zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, and the mining and minerals sector.

He said progress in agriculture is highly encouraging, noting that the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates had completed their training in China, while the next group of another 1,000 is ready to depart for China.

He termed it a valuable investment in the skills and future of the country's youth.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan-China relations are an anchor of Pakistan's foreign policy.

He added that his conversation with President Xi Jinping in May this year reaffirmed their enduring friendship.

He said Pakistan remains fully committed to implementing the important consensus reached between the leadership of the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

Quoting a Chinese saying, the Prime Minister said, "A bosom friend afar brings distant lands near," adding that these words reflect the friendship and closeness shared by the two nations.

In his remarks, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong termed China and Pakistan as all-weather strategic cooperative partners.

He said Pakistan is playing an increasingly important role on the international stage, driven by its principled stance, broad global vision, and profound diplomatic insight.

The Ambassador said Pakistan has championed multilateralism and international cooperation, playing a vital role in safeguarding peace and security within the region and beyond.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vigorously defended Pakistan's national interests during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Pakistan's position on international and regional issues was appreciated by the global community.

Jiang Zaidong said the journey of the past 75 years demonstrates that China and Pakistan have stood by each other through joy and sorrow and remained united like brothers through thick and thin.

The Ambassador also highlighted practical cooperation between the two countries across various sectors.