Chinese minister Liu Haixing highlights political parties as pillars of Pakistan-China friendship
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has emphasised the central role of political parties in strengthening Pakistan-China relations, promoting governance cooperation and advancing the countries’ shared development aspirations.
Addressing a symposium on Pakistan-China relations and governance cooperation in Islamabad o this week, Liu said exchanges between political parties had remained an important component of the longstanding friendship between the two countries and contributed significantly to mutual understanding, trust and institutional collaboration.
The symposium was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Liu Haixing, bringing together senior political leaders, parliamentarians, policymakers, academics and representatives of think tanks from Pakistan and China.
Liu expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s leadership and political parties for their continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He thanked Dar for co-chairing the symposium and acknowledged the participation of prominent Pakistani political figures and representatives of various institutions.
Highlighting the significance of the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, Liu said the enduring friendship between the two countries had been built through the consistent efforts of successive generations of leaders and peoples. He said political party exchanges had helped sustain the relationship and strengthen its foundations.
The Chinese minister stressed that cooperation between the CPC and Pakistani political parties provided an important avenue for sharing governance experiences, exchanging policy perspectives and exploring approaches to development and institutional strengthening.
He highlighted the importance of established platforms, including the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and mechanisms for political parties’ engagement on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in promoting dialogue and cooperation.
Liu also underscored the value of the Pakistan-China Research Center for Party and State Governance, describing institutional research and intellectual exchanges as important means of deepening mutual understanding and strengthening practical cooperation.
He said continued interaction among political parties, parliamentarians, academics, think tanks and young people could further enrich the bilateral relationship and help address emerging challenges through shared experiences.
Liu reaffirmed China’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to advance political cooperation, strengthen governance exchanges and promote the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
The symposium provided an opportunity for participants to discuss governance, political cooperation, development experiences and ways to expand institutional engagement between Pakistan and China.