China, Pakistan to Deepen Strategic Cooperation, Upgrade CPEC to Version 2.0: Ambassador Jiang Zaidong
Islamabad – 10 June 2026 (Adnan Hameed) : Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday said that China and Pakistan will continue to carry forward their ironclad friendship, deepen strategic cooperation and jointly build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future for a New Era.
Addressing a seminar titled “Global Governance Initiative and the Development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)” jointly organized by Xinhua News Agency and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Ambassador Jiang said that 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, providing a new opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties.
The Ambassador paid tribute to people from all walks of life in both countries who have supported the development of China-Pakistan relations and said the longstanding friendship between the two nations has remained strong under the strategic guidance of their leadership.
Referring to the exchange of congratulatory messages between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on May 21, Ambassador Jiang said both leaders highly valued the achievements of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political mutual trust, practical cooperation, security cooperation and international coordination.
He said that during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China, President Xi Jinping emphasized that China has always placed Pakistan as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and expressed satisfaction that the cause of China-Pakistan friendship continues to be carried forward by successive generations.
According to the Ambassador, President Xi called for advancing the building of an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future for a New Era, while President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would remain a good friend and reliable partner of China.
Ambassador Jiang said the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries provides fundamental guidance and a roadmap for further advancing the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Ambassador Jiang said President Xi Jinping called on both countries to implement the action plan for building a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future, promote major flagship projects and small-scale livelihood initiatives, and deepen cooperation in agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence and human resource development.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and advancing the construction of CPEC.
Highlighting the achievements of the corridor, Ambassador Jiang said CPEC has attracted more than 25.9 billion US dollars in direct investment to Pakistan, created over 260,000 jobs, added more than 8,000 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, constructed 510 kilometers of expressways and established 886 kilometers of core national power transmission networks.
He described CPEC as a pioneering project under the Belt and Road Initiative, an important example of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and a vivid manifestation of the China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future.
The Ambassador said China and Pakistan will focus on three priority areas—agriculture, industry and mining—to upgrade CPEC into Version 2.0 and promote coordinated development across all sectors of cooperation.
He added that both countries will continue advancing major projects, including the Karakoram Highway Phase-II realignment project, while also implementing people-centered initiatives designed to directly benefit local communities.
Among these initiatives, he highlighted the “Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Initiative” in Balochistan, which includes the construction of 100 water facilities, renovation of 1,000 classrooms and distribution of 100,000 student assistance kits to improve living conditions and educational opportunities.
Addressing the issue of global governance, Ambassador Jiang said Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit, advocating sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and practical actions to build a more just and equitable global governance system. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly supported the initiative, describing it as an important contribution to global peace, development and stability and a significant step toward strengthening multilateralism.
The Ambassador said the initiative would help the global governance system better address the needs of developing countries and effectively respond to common challenges facing humanity.
He further stated that President Xi Jinping had also put forward four proposals for safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East, which were highly appreciated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to Ambassador Jiang, China and Pakistan jointly issued a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, demonstrating their commitment to implementing the principles of the Global Governance Initiative.
He said President Xi Jinping commended Pakistan’s efforts in promoting dialogue and mediation to help restore peace in the Middle East.
Ambassador Jiang emphasized that China and Pakistan will continue close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, support the authority and central role of the United Nations, and work together to reform and improve the global governance system.
He added that both countries will oppose unilateralism and Cold War mentality and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
The Chinese Ambassador noted that 2026 is not only the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan but also the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and an important year for advancing Pakistan’s Uraan Pakistan initiative. He said the modernization efforts of both countries and the all-weather strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan have entered a new stage, creating fresh opportunities for cooperation and development.
Ambassador Jiang praised the role of media organizations and think tanks in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding and highlighting the achievements of CPEC. He said institutions such as Xinhua News Agency and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad have helped explain the development experiences of both countries, promote the successes of CPEC and strengthen public support for China-Pakistan friendship.
The Ambassador noted that Xinhua News Agency has maintained a presence in Pakistan for 70 years and has made significant contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral relations, Ambassador Jiang said that with the joint efforts of all sectors of society in both countries, China and Pakistan will continue to carry forward their ironclad friendship, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future for a New Era.
He said these efforts would contribute to regional peace and stability and promote the progress and well-being of humanity.
