PROVINCE REPORT
MARDAN: The Mardan business community on Monday reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China, saying the two countries enjoyed time-tested relations based on mutual respect, shared interests and close cooperation on regional and international issues.
The views were expressed at a cake-cutting ceremony held at the Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The ceremony was attended by senior trader leader and former president Zahir Shah, MCCI Senior Vice President Haji Sarbuland Khan, Vice President Murad Ali, members of the executive committee, traders, industrialists and representatives of the media. Zahir Shah, Sarbuland Khan, Murad Ali, Former Director of Information Shamsul Haq, senior journalist Hidayat Hoti and Waqar Bacha were among the speakers who extended their greetings to the people of China on their National Day.
Speaking on the occasion, the participants highlighted the close and enduring relationship between Pakistan and China and said the friendship had developed into a broad-based partnership encompassing trade, investment, infrastructure, development and people-to-people contacts.
They said Pakistan and China had consistently supported each other on issues of mutual interest at regional and international forums. They expressed the hope that bilateral relations would continue to deepen in the years ahead, particularly in the areas of trade, industry, investment and economic cooperation.
The speakers also stressed the need to further strengthen economic and commercial ties between the two countries, saying the business communities of Pakistan and China could play an important role in promoting bilateral trade and creating new opportunities for investment and industrial cooperation.
They congratulated the Chinese people on their National Day and expressed good wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of China.
The ceremony concluded with the cutting of a cake to celebrate the occasion.
