Leaders reaffirm “iron-clad friendship” and pledge expanded cooperation in CPEC, technology, clean energy and regional stability
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, as Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strategic partnership while marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir, senior ministers and government officials.
During the talks, Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Chinese leadership for the warm reception and said the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership remained the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
He said the “iron-clad friendship” between the two countries had gained greater strategic importance amid rapidly changing regional and global developments.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for China’s core interests, including the One China Principle, and appreciated Beijing’s continued backing for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic stability and national development.
Referring to his recent visit to Hangzhou, Shehbaz Sharif praised Xi Jinping’s role in transforming Zhejiang Province during his tenure there and commended his leadership in turning China into a leading global power.
The Pakistani premier also appreciated China’s support for regional peace initiatives and praised President Xi’s four-point proposal for regional peace, describing it as widely welcomed.
According to Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan-China partnership continues to act as a stabilizing force in the region amid growing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agreeing to advance high-quality development projects.
The prime minister stressed the importance of aligning China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision to deepen collaboration in industrialisation, connectivity, science and technology, agriculture, clean energy and digital transformation.
He also highlighted the recent selection of Pakistani astronauts for China’s space station programme as a sign of expanding cooperation in advanced technologies and space exploration.
President Xi Jinping described Pakistan and China as “iron brothers” who had built an unbreakable relationship based on mutual trust, understanding and consistent support.
He said China would continue prioritising its ties with Pakistan in its neighbourhood diplomacy regardless of international developments.
Both leaders agreed to use the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to usher in a new phase of strategic, practical and future-oriented cooperation.
The discussions also covered regional stability, economic coordination and strengthening people-to-people exchanges as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening longstanding bilateral ties.
