ISLAMABAD
In a vibrant commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China, a distinguished ceremony was held at KP House, Islamabad, on June 3, 2025.
The event, steeped in symbolism and camaraderie, was graced by the Honorable Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mr. Babar Saleem Swati, and was also graced by the presence of Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, along with a constellation of esteemed dignitaries and stakeholders.
Mr. Yousaf Ayub Khan President PCFA-KP in his welcome address mentioned about activities & achievements of the association since its establishment in 1970 as Pak China Student Friendship Association in Peshawar and continued exploring more avenues to further enhance & strengthen these exemplary relationship. He also commanded the great friendly role of China in recent times.
Organized under the auspices of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association (PCFA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter, the gathering served as a potent testament to the time-tested, resilient, and multidimensional relationship that has endured and flourished across nearly three-quarters of a century.
Among the luminaries in attendance were Mr. Yousaf Ayub Khan President PCFA-KP provincial ministers Mr. Arshad Ayub Khan and Mr. Nazir Abbasi; PTI KP President Mr. Junaid Akbar; as well as mr. Ali Asghar Khan and Mr. Arif Ahmadzai. Each underlined, in their respective capacities, the foundational strength and strategic vitality of the Sino-Pakistani friendship.
In his keynote address, Speaker Swati eloquently traced the historical arc of the bilateral relationship, recalling Pakistan’s pioneering recognition of the People’s Republic of China in 1950. He celebrated the enduring 40-year sister-city relationship between Peshawar and Urumqi and looked ahead to the 30th anniversary of the Abbottabad-Kashgar partnership in 2027.
He proposed that Mansehra—by virtue of its rich heritage along the ancient Silk Road—be considered for a sister-city affiliation with a Chinese counterpart.
