This year marks seventy-five years of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations—an “all-weather friendship” that has endured ideological shifts, Cold War rivalries and the turbulence of global polarisation.

A few bilateral partnerships in modern history have shown such resilience. As one who has personally witnessed China’s transformation since 1974 and who was invited to Beijing on the sixtieth anniversary of ties, I can attest that this relationship is not merely a matter of statecraft but of lived experience. My impressions, recorded in works such as China’s Stories—China’s Success, Gleaming Gems of Chinese Culture, The Road to Leadership: Xi Jinping—from Educated Farm Boy to Statesman, 100 Years of Communist Party of China and over a thousand articles, provide a prism through which to view this remarkable journey.

The durability of Pakistan–China ties rests on mutual trust and shared strategic interests. Since the early 1950s, both nations recognized each other as reliable partners in a turbulent region. Unlike transactional alliances, this relationship has been built on consistency: China stood by Pakistan during sanctions and wars, while Pakistan facilitated China’s outreach to the wider world. In the 1960s and 70s, when much of the international community ignored mainland China and instead recognized Taiwan as the so‑called Republic of China, Pakistan stood firmly by Beijing. It was Pakistan’s steadfast support that helped China regain its rightful position on the global stage. China has never forgotten that loyalty and, in turn, has reciprocated with unwavering support. Anchored in........

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