On September 8, 2021, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong attended the First China-Pakistan Think Tank Forum co-hosted by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and Pakistan's Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), and made a keynote speech on the international and regional situation and China-Pakistan relations. President of CICIR Yuan Peng attended the meeting, Director General of ISSI Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Director General (China) of Pakistani Foreign Ministry Faraz Zaidi participated in the meeting via video link.

Liu Jinsong said that Pakistan is a country that I yearn for and feel connected to. I have not been appointed to Islamabad or visited there, but my hometown Xinjiang shares borders with Pakistan. I have inspected the Khunjerab Pass, shook hands with border guards of both sides, and had tea at a Pakistani checkpoint where I had a good time. No matter which country I was appointed to, my Pakistani colleagues always became my best friends. We hugged each other tightly when we had to depart.

Liu said that the friendship between China and Pakistan is based on trust and mutual support, and we have been devoted friends through both good and hard times. Our friendship is a pacesetter for amicable relations between countries. Examples of our friendly relations over thousands of years are: an ancient Chinese envoy Zhang Qian and two well-respected Buddhist monks Faxian and Xuanzang all visited Pakistan; the ancient city of Taxila is said to be the prototype of the Xitian (the Western Heaven) in the novel "Journey to the West". Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, thanks to the caring and nurturing of generations of leaders of the two countries, and under the hard work and cooperation of the people from all sectors of both countries, China-Pakistan relations have stood the test of changing international circumstances. During President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Pakistan in 2015, the two countries built an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, which is unique in China's foreign relations.

Liu pointed out that Asia generally maintained peace, stability and development amid the global turmoil and profound changes. At present, the most prominent situation in our region is the fundamental changes in Afghanistan. The world is now better aware that hegemony, military intervention and wishful thinking of "democratic transformation" are unacceptable. The Taliban's announcement of an interim government and the appointment of senior officials have ended the anarchy of over three weeks. It is a necessary step in Afghanistan's restoration of order and post-war reconstruction. He hopes that when the interim government takes office, the new Afghan regime will widely solicit opinions from all factions and ethnic groups, respond to the aspiration of its people and the expectation of the international community, build a broad and inclusive political structure, adopt moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, severe links with terrorist forces, and establish and develop friendly relations with all countries especially its neighbors. The international community must fully respect the country's independence, sovereignty and the will of its people, and the United States must take its responsibilities on this issue. It is imperative to provide Afghanistan with much-needed economic, wellbeing and humanitarian assistance, and take effective measures to realize a smooth transition.

Liu said, we have a saying in Chinese, that is "Sturdy grass withstands high winds, true friendship stands the test of adversity." Our Pakistani friends say that "True friends show up in times of need, not at banquets." China and Pakistan held their hands together in the face of international and regional changes and various risks and challenges. Some terrorist forces launched frequent attacks on Pakistani security guards and Chinese personnel and projects. We must take resolute measures to give a robust response. Only when we two brothers hold our hands tighter, stand shoulder to shoulder and bring our hearts closer, will the attempts of sabotaging our friendship fail. China is ready to work with Pakistan to improve our strategic cooperation, enhance anti-pandemic cooperation, advance high-quality construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and make the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic ties a great success. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, once observed that only through united efforts can we turn our ideals into reality. A think tank is the source and treasure of innovative ideas. He hopes that scholars from the China-Pakistan think tank will play an active role and contribute their wisdom and strength for the development of bilateral relations.