BEIJING: China Pakistan relations received another boost on Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace in the Middle East during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing.
During the meeting, President Xi described Pakistan and China as close and trusted partners with an “unbreakable traditional friendship”. He said Beijing continued to give top priority to its ties with Islamabad despite changing global conditions.
Xi also warmly welcomed Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
China Pakistan relations have remained strong for decades, and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, economy, defence, education, technology and regional peace.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated both nations on completing 75 years of diplomatic relations and called the friendship between Pakistan and China “everlasting”. He said the bond between the two countries was built by their founding leaders and had grown stronger with time.
The premier praised China’s rapid economic development under President Xi’s leadership and described Beijing as a major force for global peace and progress. He also highlighted the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative, calling them symbols of prosperity and regional connectivity.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, where both sides discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
The Pakistani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, while senior Chinese officials also attended the meeting.
Speaking about regional tensions, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan fully supported China’s peace initiatives for the Middle East. He added that Islamabad had played a sincere role in facilitating diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran.
The prime minister said the ongoing Middle East crisis had affected economies around the world, including Pakistan, and stressed the importance of peaceful dialogue.
China Pakistan relations were further strengthened with the signing of 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding in multiple sectors. The two countries signed deals related to economy, climate change, agriculture, trade, science and technology, education, media cooperation and counterterrorism.
Both sides also signed agreements on agricultural exports, documentary co-production, human resource development and cooperation between educational institutions.
PM Shehbaz also expressed condolences over the deadly coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi province and assured Beijing of Pakistan’s solidarity with the affected families.
