BEIJING (Web Desk) – According to the survey launched online on April 12, as of Thursday, 89 percent of Chinese netizens and 90 percent of Pakistanis surveyed chose “iron brothers” to describe the China-Pakistan relations.
The two neighbors maintain a traditional friendship and have always supported each other’s core interests. Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in May 1951, they have developed an all-weather friendship and conducted comprehensive cooperation.
The China-Pakistan friendship enjoys a solid public foundation as the two peoples treat each other as “iron brothers.” As Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Defense Committee Mushahid Hussain put it, people from all walks of life in Pakistan, regardless of age or sex, have deep friendly feelings toward China.
In China, people have coined a special term for Pakistan — “Iron Pak” to express their great feelings toward Pakistan, meaning Pakistan is an “iron friend” of China.
The China-Pakistan friendship has stood the test of time. According to the survey, 73 percent of Chinese netizens and 63 percent of Pakistani netizens believe the bilateral ties are a vivid embodiment of the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Just days ago, China helped evacuate 176 Pakistani nationals safely from war-torn Yemen which was applauded by the Pakistani government and its people. The South Asian country also helped eight Chinese students leave Yemen.
Looking back to 2008, when Wenchuan city in China’s southwest Sichuan province was hit by a massive earthquake, Pakistan immediately donated all of its tents in reserve to China.
In 2010, when torrential floods devastated one-fifth of Pakistan’s total land, China was the first country to help Pakistan with cash, food, medicines, tents and also by sending medical and rescue teams.
