PM Shehbaz, President Xi agree to deepen Pakistan–China partnership

BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to carry forward the historic legacy of Pakistan–China relations and transform the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties into a new phase of strategic, practical, and future-oriented cooperation.

According to an official statement, the meeting took place in Beijing during the prime minister’s official visit to China and focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with senior ministers and government officials, also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked President Xi for the reception and reaffirmed that the Pakistan–China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership remains a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He said the longstanding friendship between the two countries has gained greater strategic significance amid changing regional and global developments.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for China’s core interests, including the One China Principle, and appreciated China’s continued support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic stability, and development.

Referring to his earlier visit to Hangzhou, Shehbaz Sharif praised Xi Jinping’s role in the development of Zhejiang Province and commended his leadership in China’s economic transformation.

The prime minister also acknowledged China’s support for regional peace efforts and appreciated President Xi’s four-point proposal aimed at promoting stability.

Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan–China cooperation continues to serve as a stabilizing factor during a period of regional and international uncertainty.

During the meeting, the prime minister also expressed support for China’s major international initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative.

The prime minister pledged to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and stressed the need for deeper strategic coordination, accelerated development under China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and alignment of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s Uraan Pakistan initiative.

He highlighted opportunities for broader cooperation in industrialization, connectivity, science and technology, agriculture, clean energy, and digital transformation.

Shehbaz Sharif also noted that the selection of Pakistani astronauts for China’s space station programme reflects expanding cooperation in advanced technology sectors.

President Xi stated that China and Pakistan have built an “unbreakable traditional friendship” based on mutual understanding, trust, and support and reaffirmed that China would continue to prioritize relations with Pakistan.