2021 marks 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Pakistan. In 1951, Pakistan had become the first non-communist country to take recognize the PRC. Over time, the relationship has developed into an iconic friendship with hardly any noticeable disputes.

According to the current Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Pakistan and China have supported each other through thick and thin. China has raised the Kashmir issue China on various international forums. For its part, Pakistan has always put its weight behind China on the Taiwan Issue, on Tibet, on Xinjiang and on South China Sea Issue. In short, the two countries have had a history of outstanding cooperation.

These already good relations found a new dimension with the two embarking upon the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which connects Xinjiang in western China to Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar. This is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has emerged as an economic lifeline. This corridor has reduced travel time and distance for cargos and vehicular traffic.

Earlier this year, President Xi Jinping announced an end to absolute poverty in China. China’s model of poverty alleviation is a great case study that holds many lessons for Pakistan. According to some experts, its focus on education and health are the key to China’s success in this context.

Pakistan can help China meet its agricultural needs. China has a population of 1.5 billion and the arable land is fast shrinking. China’s plan 2020-2030 includes providing Pakistan skills and techniques to enhance per acre yields. Bilateral trade is another avenue where Pakistan, which has a low share at the moment, can explore new venues and benefit from the trade concessions offered by China. In order to achieve this goal technological advancement, quality and lower cost of production are imperative.

China has also come forward to donate free Covid vaccines to Pakistan and expressed its resolve to take CPEC forward despite the hurdles. Another factor signifying strong relations between the two countries is the increasing number of Pakistani students in Chinese universities.