KARACHI: The past 70 years of China are the years of glory, pioneering and innovation. The country has grown from an impoverished and weak country to the world’s second-largest economy. More than 800 million people have been pulled out of poverty. The people live and work in peace and harmony; society is stable and orderly.

These views were expressed by acting consul general of China in Karachi Chen Xiaodong here on Saturday.

He was the chief guest at the ceremony held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China which was organised by the Confucius Institute, University of Karachi.

He said China is strong and prosperous and the Chinese nation is standing in the east of the world with a high spirit. The past 70 years were years of pioneering and innovation. China has always adhered to its own path.

He said that as the Iron Brother of China, Pakistan has always been the priority of Chinese diplomacy for over 70 years. It is a model of state-to-state relations with different social systems, different historic backgrounds.

“We are close friends in politics and confidants in culture and brothers in safety. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951, the two sides have always trusted and supported each other firmly on each other’s core interests.”

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2019