A high-level symposium marking the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pivotal 2015 visit to Pakistan was convened in Islamabad on Monday. Titled “Forging a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future,” the event was co-hosted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy. Attendees included Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, and prominent figures such as Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed (Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute), former Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi, senior political leader Afrasiab Khattak, security analyst Abdullah Hameed Gul, and Khalid Mahmood (Chairman of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad), alongside scholars, diplomats, and journalists.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong underscored the historic significance of President Xi’s 28-hour visit in April 2015, which yielded 51 landmark agreements and elevated bilateral ties to an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.” He emphasized the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the cornerstone of collaboration, recalling the “over 50 rounds of applause” President Xi received during his address to Pakistan’s Parliament, a testament to the nations’ mutual goodwill.
Ambassador Jiang outlined five pillars of progress over the past decade: enhanced strategic trust through 100+ high-level exchanges, CPEC-driven development resolving Pakistan’s energy shortages and operationalizing Gwadar Port, expanded cultural ties with rising student exchanges and joint artistic projects, strengthened security cooperation via joint drills and disaster response (including China’s $260 million aid during floods and COVID-19), and aligned multilateral advocacy at forums like the UN and SCO. “Strategic leadership, win-win collaboration, and people-centered bonds remain vital,” he stated, reaffirming China’s position as Pakistan’s top foreign investor.
Looking ahead, Jiang outlined priorities for deeper BRI alignment with Pakistan’s “5Es” framework, bolstered security coordination, educational partnerships, and multilateral reforms. As the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties approaches in 2026, he expressed optimism: “Let us join hands to build an even closer community with a shared future and create a brighter tomorrow for our partnership. Long live China-Pakistan friendship!”
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed highlighted CPEC’s transformative impact, referencing the $46 billion agreements signed in 2015. He linked the symposium to three milestones: Xi’s visit anniversary, the 70th year of the Bandung Conference, and 80 years since WWII’s conclusion. “CPEC reflects China’s faith in Pakistan’s future,” he asserted, quoting Mao Zedong: “Nothing is hard if you dare to scale the heights.”
Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch praised the relationship as a “celebration of resilience and mutual trust,” crediting Xi’s 2015 visit for institutionalizing CPEC and enabling infrastructure and energy advancements. She noted recent leadership exchanges, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit, as proof of bilateral commitment to trade, tech, and climate collaboration. Anticipating Xi’s return to Pakistan, she termed it a “testament to our Iron Brotherhood.”
Former Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi lauded CPEC’s tangible outcomes, including 8,000 km of new roads and energy stability, while urging Phase II to align with China’s Global Development and Security Initiatives. “President Xi’s return visit will reaffirm our partnership’s resilience,” she emphasized, citing China’s steadfast support during crises like FATF scrutiny and the pandemic.
The symposium concluded with a unified call to deepen cooperation, safeguard sovereignty, and champion an equitable global order, reflecting the enduring strength of the China-Pakistan alliance.
