BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen the China Pakistan partnership, describing it as vital for regional stability and future development.
The meeting in Beijing was attended by a high-level Pakistani delegation. Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Atta Tarar joined the prime minister.
Xi on cooperation and stability
President Xi stressed that the world is going through “changes unseen in a century.” In such a moment, a stronger China Pakistan partnership is essential for peace and progress in the region. He called for deepening the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and upgrading the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations.
Xi also underlined the need to build “an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.” He urged Islamabad to take firm steps to guarantee the security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions operating in Pakistan.
Shehbaz proud of China’s achievements
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated President Xi for hosting the SCO Summit and marking the 80th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist War victory. He praised Xi’s leadership, saying China had achieved historic milestones under his guidance.
“Pakistan is proud of China’s achievements and ready to move forward together in this great journey,” Shehbaz declared. He welcomed Xi’s Global Governance Initiative, calling it vital for world peace and development. Pakistan, he said, fully supports its implementation.
CPEC and new development corridors
The premier reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to the next upgraded phase of CPEC, calling it the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He revealed that five new development corridors have been added to CPEC’s next phase. These will boost connectivity and build a stronger China Pakistan partnership for the future.
Shehbaz also thanked Beijing for its constant support of Pakistan’s sovereignty, integrity, and economy. He assured that Pakistan would leave no stone unturned in protecting Chinese workers and projects.
Both leaders agreed that their strategic cooperation is more than a bilateral relationship. It is a model of regional collaboration, especially in areas of counter-terrorism, peace, and global development.
SCO platform and regional dialogue
The meeting came a day after Shehbaz addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. There, he stressed Pakistan’s belief in dialogue and diplomacy during times of instability.
He urged respect for sovereignty among SCO states and called for fair access to shared water resources. The prime minister also praised China’s global leadership as an example of stability and prosperity. He described CPEC as a symbol of shared growth. During his remarks, Shehbaz congratulated Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on their national days.
Clear stance on terrorism
Sharif rejected all forms of terrorism. He denounced those who exploit it for political agendas. “The world no longer accepts this fictional narrative,” he said, pointing to evidence of foreign involvement in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He specifically mentioned the Jafar Express train attack as an example.
Through this visit, the China Pakistan partnership was once again highlighted as a bond that goes beyond traditional diplomacy. It stands as an enduring friendship aimed at stability, connectivity, and shared prosperity.