Beijing: During the World Peace Forum 2024, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi praised the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, characterizing it as a vital source of peace, development, and stability in South Asia and beyond.

According to Press Information Department, Ambassador Hashmi emphasized the strong, unique ties between the two nations, founded on mutual respect, equality, and good-neighborliness. He advocated for similarly cooperative and harmonious relationships among all South Asian countries. Hashmi underscored the critical connection between sustainable development and peace, lauding China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) for fostering dialogue and cooperation across the region.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude towards China for its pivotal investments in Pakistan, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which he described as a modern embodiment of the ancient Silk Road that historically linked China with South Asia. This initiative has been instrumental in enhancing people-to-people and trade connections. Furthermore, Hashmi appreciated China’s steadfast support for a fair resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, aligned with the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions.

He also called for rejuvenating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with a progressive, UN Charter-driven approach to ensure peace and development across the region.