The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor accelerates its advancement

The photo shows the China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, located in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan. Captured by Ahmed Kamal. (Xinhua News Agency)

Recently, President Zardari of Pakistan conducted a state visit to China. During the visit, the two sides signed over ten cooperation agreements, covering areas including the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, trade, technology, livelihood, and media. Over the long term, China and Pakistan have demonstrated mutual understanding and support, continuously deepening strategic mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation. The China-Pakistan partnership can withstand any test, with the unwavering ironclad friendship between the two nations.

Over the years, the construction achievements of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor have been outstanding, with recent highlights becoming more prominent. On January 20, 2025, the new international airport in Gwadar, located in Pakistan's Balochistan province, welcomed its first commercial flight, marking the official operation of Pakistan's largest international airport built with assistance from China. The Lahore Orange Line rail transit project is steadily operating, bringing tangible convenience to the local residents... China and Pakistan continue to strengthen win-win cooperation, continuously upgrading the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, accelerating the establishment of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.

In addition to large-scale projects, people-to-people initiatives between China and Pakistan also serve as bridges of friendship between the two nations. In the past six months, the Pak-China Friendship Hospital has treated over 150,000 patients, with the hospital's CT facilities serving 176 patients. In late January of this year, the hospital initiated blood bank services, further improving the medical services in the Gwadar region. Initiatives such as schools and hospitals have long covered various projects along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, providing tangible benefits to local residents.

During the 2025 Chinese New Year period, Prime Minister Shahbaz of Pakistan extended New Year greetings to the Chinese government, people, as well as Chinese nationals and overseas Chinese in Pakistan through video, expressing Pakistan's anticipation of building a better world together with China. Shahbaz stated that the close friendly relationship rooted in mutual trust and common vision between the two countries has evolved into an all-weather strategic partnership. The steadfast friendship between Pakistan and China has always been the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, reflecting a way of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit between the two countries. It is hoped that both Pakistan and China will unite and steadfastly devote themselves to building a better world, making contributions to global peace, prosperity, and harmony.

During the Chinese New Year period, Pakistan was also filled with a festive atmosphere. The Lahore Orange Line Metro organized an "Celebration of Chinese New Year" station open day event, marking the official operation of train advertising commercial business for the Lahore Orange Line rail transit project in Pakistan. It was also the first breakthrough for railway and rail transit advertising operations nationwide. The carriages of the theme train were decorated with "Chinese New Year" themes, adorned with paper-cut window decorations and red lanterns, displaying Chinese New Year posters everywhere, creating a strong Chinese New Year atmosphere. On February 9, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan hosted a unique Lantern Festival celebration, where guests from all walks of life from China and Pakistan gathered to celebrate the festival, not only making overseas Chinese and students feel the warmth of home in a foreign land but also deepening the cultural exchanges and friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani people. Many Pakistani friends were present at the event, stopping to admire and immerse themselves in this visual feast of oriental traditional culture. On February 12, the "Winter Sports Season·China-Pakistan Sports Carnival" organized by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan was successfully held in the sports hall of the National University of Modern Languages, exuding a relaxed and lively, fun sports atmosphere, further promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Pakistan in the field of sports.

As practical cooperation between China and Pakistan deepens, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has now become a testament to the friendship between the two countries, from which the people of both countries have benefited greatly through the high-quality development of the corridor. The long-term stable development of the friendship between the two countries continues to achieve new results. (Reporter: Shi Puhao)

Source：https://www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/0UREAT98.html

Edited and Translated by Chen Xiao