ISLAMABAD — The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan held an online reception on May 21 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Chairman of Pakistan's Senate or the upper house of the country's parliament Sadiq Sanjrani, Pakistan's Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Nadeem Raza, and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong attended the virtually held reception.

On the occasion, Alvi said that the establishment of diplomatic ties seven decades ago was a "watershed moment" for both of the countries, adding that the ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China has been time-tested and growing stronger.

The two countries have conducted all-around cooperation, the president said. "Our cooperation in the fields of agriculture, trade, finance, education, science and technology, and people-to-people or cultural exchanges is strengthening and growing day by day."

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, has solved the electricity shortage problem in Pakistan and will further promote the country's industrialization to create more jobs, Alvi noted.

Looking into the future, Alvi said the solid foundations of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership ensure that the bilateral relations will be stronger and the special friendship will be passed on to the next generations.

Pakistan firmly supports forging a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, the president said, adding that the two countries will jointly lead the world towards peace and prosperity.

Addressing the reception, Nong said the China-Pakistan relations have been progressing no matter how the regional and international landscapes have evolved, and the friendly and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries have made fruitful achievements.

"The past seven decades have also been the journey of mutual assistance in addressing various challenges," the Chinese envoy said, adding that collaboration and mutual support between the two countries in the face of the pandemic have set an example of international cooperation in addressing the pandemic.

"It has been proved that China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation are not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but are also conducive to regional and global peace, stability and development," Nong said.

On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan established diplomatic ties. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize new China and the first Islamic country to enter into diplomatic relations with China.