ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP): A book titled “Pakistan-China – an all weather friendship” has been published to mark the 65th anniversary of establishment of Pak-China diplomatic relations.
The 34-page book carries the chronology of important events between the two countries starting from the establishment of diplomatic ties on May 21, 1951.
Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications, Ministry of
Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, has published the book.
The book also carries rare and historic pictures of the
meetings between the heads of state and government from both the countries and signing of important agreements.
A picture shows the meeting between former Prime Minister
Mohammad Ali Bogra of Pakistan and former Premier Zhou Enlai of China at Asian African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia on April 18, 1955, which laid the basis for future ties.
Another picture shows Chairman Mao Zedong exchanging views with the then Pakistan Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suharwardi in Beijing in 1956. It was first ever visit by a Pakistani Prime Minister to China.
Some pictures of former President Ayub Khan’s historic visit
to China in March 1965 depict the warm welcome accorded to him.
Some of the pictures display the former Prime Minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visit to China and meetings with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai and signing of bilateral agreements in 1972.
A picture depicts signing of Pakistan-China agreement for
joint commission on economic trade and technical cooperation in Beijing.
Former Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng visited Pakistan in
November 1989 and pictures of his meetings with the then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan have been included in the book.
Pictures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China in
February 1991 and meeting with Chinese President are also included in the book.
In a picture former President Farooq Leghari is conferring the
award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz to Gen Zhang Wannion, Chief of General Staff People’s Liberation Army of China, on December 2, 1993.
A picture shows former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao inaugurating the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre on December 18,2010.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited China in November 2014 and several memorandums of understanding were signed between the two countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain conferred Pakistan’s highest civil
award Nishan-i-Pakistan on Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on April 21, 2015.
A photo shows Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese
President Xi Jinping inaugurating projects through video link at the Prime Minister’s Office on April 20, 2015.