Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a comprehensive meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. Accompanied by Federal Ministers and senior officials, this marked the Prime Minister’s first encounter with President Xi Jinping since assuming office in 2024. The meeting showcased the enduring warmth symbolizing the steadfast friendship and close strategic ties between the two nations.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, the Prime Minister thanked President Xi Jinping and recalled the landmark visit of the Chinese President to Pakistan in 2015, which saw the formal operationalization of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
Both leaders reaffirmed the longstanding ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ and expressed determination to further strengthen cooperation across various sectors including political, security, economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Discussions also encompassed regional and global affairs, including Afghanistan, Palestine, and South Asia, with a focus on the human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Mutual support on core issues was reiterated by both sides.
Recognizing President Xi’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Prime Minister emphasized the substantial contribution of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Pakistan’s socio-economic progress. The leaders affirmed their commitment to the high-quality development of CPEC and the timely completion of major ongoing projects, agreeing on advancing the second phase with a focus on upgrading and enhancing quality development.
The Prime Minister assured President Xi of Pakistan’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions within Pakistan. He briefed President Xi on Pakistan’s economic reform policies, emphasizing the significance of CPEC in fostering synergy between the development strategies of both countries.
During a banquet hosted by President Xi in honor of the Prime Minister, further discussions on mutual interests took place.
