4月19日，在对巴基斯坦进行国事访问前夕，国家主席习近平在巴基斯坦《战斗报》和《每日新闻报》同时发表题为《中巴人民友谊万岁》的署名文章。中英全文如下：

Long live China-Pakistan friendship!
中巴人民友谊万岁

“My friend's lovely image dwells in the mirror of my heart; I tilt my head slightly, and here it comes into my sight.” Just as this line from an Urdu poem describes, Pakistan is such a good friend in my heart. When I was young, I heard many touching stories about Pakistan and the friendship between our two countries. To name just a few, I learned that the Pakistani people were working hard to build their beautiful country, and that Pakistan opened an air corridor for China to reach out to the world and supported China in restoring its lawful seat in the United Nations. The stories have left me with a deep impression. I look forward to my upcoming state visit to Pakistan. This will be my first trip to Pakistan, but I feel as if I am going to visit the home of my own brother.
在巴基斯坦，有这样一句乌尔都语诗歌：“朋友的美好形象，就在我心的明镜之中，稍一低头，就能看见。”在我心目中，巴基斯坦就是这样一位好朋友。我年轻时就经常听说关于巴基斯坦和中巴友好的动人故事，如巴基斯坦人民用勤劳的双手建设着自己美丽的家园，巴基斯坦为中国提供同世界联系的空中走廊，支持中国恢复联合国合法席位，等等。这些故事给我留下深刻印象。我期待着即将对巴基斯坦进行国事访问。这是我首次访问巴基斯坦，但我感觉就像到自己兄弟家中探访一样。

Over the years, thanks to the nurturing of generations of leaders and people from all sectors of both countries, China-Pakistan friendship has flourished like a tree growing tall and strong. No matter how the circumstances in our two countries, the region and the world change, our bilateral relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth. We have always respected, understood and supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests. In Pakistan, our relationship is poetically hailed as a friendship “higher than mountains, deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey.”In China, Pakistan is known as a sincere and reliable friend. Obviously, China-Pakistan friendship is deeply felt in the hearts of our two peoples.
长期以来，在两国历代领导人和各界人士精心培育下，中巴友谊像一棵茁壮成长的大树，根深叶茂。无论国际和地区形势及两国国内情况如何变化，中巴关系一直健康稳定发展，两国在涉及彼此核心利益问题上始终相互尊重、相互理解、相互支持。在巴基斯坦，人们用“比山高、比海深、比蜜甜”这样诗歌般的语言来赞颂中巴友谊。在中国，人们都把巴基斯坦称作“真诚可靠的朋友”。中巴友谊正日益深深植根于两国人民心中。

Over a long period of time, China and Pakistan have conducted all-round, mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation in various fields, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. At present, the two sides are working together to steadily advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Committed to building a China-Pakistan community of common destiny, we cooperate to expand our converging interests and strive for common development. Our aim is to deliver even more benefits to our peoples and realize brighter development prospects.
长期以来，中巴两国在各领域开展了全方位互利合作，结出了累累硕果，给两国人民带来实实在在的利益。当前，两国正在稳步推进中巴经济走廊建设，致力于打造中巴命运共同体。中巴合作的出发点和立足点是深化两国利益融合，携手共谋发展，为两国人民带来更多福祉，绘制更加美好的发展蓝图。

The government and people of Pakistan are pursuing economic development and the improvement of people's livelihood. At the same time, Pakistan is resolutely fighting terrorism and extremism. As a result, good progress has been made in national security and social stability. As Pakistan's good friend and brother, China is truly happy for every progress and achievement of Pakistan. I believe that as long as the Pakistani people work together in unity, Pakistan will surely embark on a development path suited to its national conditions, achieve even greater success in national development and realize its dream of becoming an “Asian tiger” at an early date.
巴基斯坦政府和人民致力于发展经济、改善民生，同时坚决打击恐怖主义和极端主义，维护国家安全和社会稳定，取得了显著成效。作为好朋友、好兄弟，中方为巴方取得的每一点进步、每一项成就感到由衷高兴。我相信，只要巴基斯坦人民齐心协力、团结奋进，就一定能够找到符合自身国情的发展道路，在国家建设事业中取得更大成就，早日实现成为“亚洲之虎”的梦想。

The Chinese people are working toward the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation. It is a dream about peace, development and win-win cooperation. What we pursue is not just the interests of the Chinese people, but also the common interests of the world people. China wishes to live in harmony with Pakistan and other countries in South Asia and contribute its share to the development of this region. The aim of China's initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is to promote common development by enhancing connectivity among countries along these routes. We hope that this initiative will enable us to work together with South Asian countries to fulfill our common dream of rapid development.
中国人民正在努力实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦。中国梦是和平、发展、合作、共赢的梦，我们追求中国人民的福祉，也追求各国人民共同的福祉。中国愿同包括巴基斯坦在内的南亚各国和睦相处，愿为南亚发展添砖加瓦。中国提出丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路倡议，就是要通过加强沿线国家互联互通，实现共同发展。