Muhammad Asif Noor holds the Chinese and English edition of "A Historical End: Global Perspectives on China's Poverty Alleviation and World Development," a collection of essays contributed by Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, edited by China Daily's China Watch Institute, with his article included. [Photo courtesy of Muhammad Asif Noor] 

CHINA NEWS RELEASE: China and Pakistan have always regarded each other as an "ironclad friend," and the bilateral relations are rock solid. How do you view the bilateral relations as well as the friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani peoples?

Muhammad Asif Noor: Pakistan gained independence in 1947 and the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. The two countries officially established their diplomatic relations in 1951. For the past seven decades, over the period of time, both brotherly states were able to become ironclad friends. China-Pakistan friendship remains strong and consistent despite changes in international and regional political conditions shaped by the Cold War in 1947–1991, the Global War on Terrorism and even during the pandemic. Both countries just completed the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with various joint collaborative memorial events embodying the strength of their friendship that is deep, broad and warm. Pak-China relations have a respectful history of at least seven decades during which the two countries have stood together through thick and thin and have built an iron-clad friendship, not only at the State level, but also deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. The friendship has several names and metaphors used over the years from "higher than Himalayas," "sweeter than honey and deeper than the deepest blue sea" to "all-weather friendship and partnership" and "ironclad friendship," which mean that the friendship between China and Pakistan is not hampered by international changes or the domestic situations of both countries, and remains strong and steady.