ISLAMABAD: During a keynote address to faculty members and students at Tianjin University, the Prime Minister expressed pride in being at the institution, recalling his first visit in 2017.
He praised Tianjin University as a premier center of learning that has produced distinguished scientists and thinkers, noting that its graduates have played a vital role in China’s development journey.
He highlighted that over 200 Pakistani students are currently studying at the university and urged them to use modern education to contribute to Pakistan’s progress, describing them as ambassadors of the country.
The Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan-China friendship is built on mutual trust, respect, and sincere affection, and has stood the test of time.
He said that both countries have always supported each other in difficult times.
Referring to the ancient Silk Road, he added that bilateral ties are as old as the historic route itself, while the Karakoram Highway remains a monumental symbol of friendship.
Shehbaz Sharif reminded that Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognize the People’s Republic of China.
He also mentioned that poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal had predicted China’s rise nearly a century ago, and that the first international flight to Beijing departed from Karachi 60 years ago.
He admired China’s achievement of lifting over 800 million people out of poverty, calling it a global model, and noted that China today stands as both an economic and military power.
Praising President Xi Jinping’s vision of shared prosperity, he said it has inspired the world. He called this vision, along with China’s poverty alleviation efforts, a guiding light for Pakistan.
Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic advantage, he said 60% of the population consists of youth, with over 30,000 Pakistani students currently studying in China across diverse fields such as research, education, and technical training.
He emphasized the importance of vocational training, while noting that cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese universities is already producing positive results.
Shehbaz Sharif also said that Pakistani agricultural graduates have completed training in China, and under joint programs, Pakistani youth are being trained in the IT sector.
He remarked that Pakistan-China friendship is becoming stronger with time, and now the torch of this bond is being carried by the younger generations.
“Together, let us write a new chapter of progress and prosperity,” he concluded.
Earlier, the Prime Minister met Pakistani students studying at Tianjin University, where he was briefed about the institution.
He was informed that Tianjin University is one of China’s oldest educational institutions, offering advanced education in engineering, science, management, law, arts, and medicine.
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The university plays a crucial role in China’s scientific and industrial development and serves as a bridge between Pakistani and Chinese students.
