Karachi event with culture, diplomacy and cinema celebrates 75 years of Pakistan-China friendship

KARACHI: A grand ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China was held in Karachi, where speakers highlighted the enduring friendship, strategic cooperation and growing cultural ties between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong said the anniversary symbolised not merely diplomatic ties but decades of mutual trust, sincerity and unwavering support between Islamabad and Beijing.

“China and Pakistan have stood together in every difficult time,” he remarked. “This is why the relations between China and Pakistan have become even stronger and deeper over time.”

The Chinese envoy stressed the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in education, science, innovation and the digital economy, saying the youth of both countries would play a decisive role in shaping future relations.

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Karachi, Muhammad Irfan Soomro, praised China’s remarkable development journey and said Pakistan could draw valuable lessons from Beijing’s long-term planning and investment in human capital.

He described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformative initiative that was paving the way for economic modernisation and shared prosperity.

Soomro also commended the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi for promoting diplomacy through culture, literature, music and cinema, observing that Karachi was increasingly emerging as an important global cultural hub.

The ceremony concluded with bouquet presentations by Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah to Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong and Director General Irfan Soomro on behalf of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

The event was attended by Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong as chief guest, along with President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Director General MOFA Karachi Muhammad Irfan Soomro, diplomats from various countries and a large number of guests gathered to celebrate the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.

The ceremony began with the national anthems of Pakistan and China, followed by a tribute song jointly performed by Pakistani and Chinese singers to honour bilateral friendship.

A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to commemorate the 75th anniversary celebrations.

Guests later attended the screening of “The Shadow Chaser,” featuring renowned Chinese actor Jackie Chan.

Among the distinguished attendees were Vice Consul General of China Feng Daheng, Vice Consul Li Chong, Consul General of Indonesia Mudzakir, Consul General of Sri Lanka Sanjeewa Pattivila and Consul General of Türkiye Ergul Kadak, along with other diplomatic representatives and citizens celebrating the longstanding partnership between Islamabad and Beijing.