China's Xi hails 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties, lauds Islamabad's role in Iran peace efforts 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, as Pakistan and China celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The interaction was described as friendly and warm, reflecting the close ties shared by Islamabad and Beijing.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with senior cabinet members and government officials, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz thanked President Xi for the hospitality extended to him and stressed that Pakistan’s partnership with China continues to remain a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy.

He noted that the long-standing friendship between the two nations has become even more important in view of the changing regional and international situation.

Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong backing for China on issues concerning its core national interests, including adherence to the One-China policy.

He also acknowledged Beijing’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic progress and overall national stability.

Referring to his visit to Hangzhou a day earlier, PM Shehbaz praised President Xi’s contribution to the remarkable growth of Zhejiang Province during his tenure as governor from 2002 to 2007. He also lauded the Chinese leader’s vision and leadership, saying it played a crucial role in China’s emergence as a major global power.

The premier appreciated China’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region and remarked that President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal aimed at regional peace had been widely welcomed.

He added that in an increasingly uncertain global environment, cooperation between Pakistan and China continues to serve as a source of balance and stability.

PM Shehbaz further commended China’s major international initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the idea of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with China in multiple sectors.

He emphasized the need to strengthen strategic coordination, ensure high-quality progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and align China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s Uraan Pakistan programme. According to him, this alignment could open wider avenues for collaboration in industrial development, infrastructure connectivity, science and technology, agriculture, renewable energy and digital innovation.

PM Shehbaz also highlighted that the inclusion of Pakistani astronauts in China’s space station programme demonstrates the growing depth of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly nations.

Earlier, President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation, conveying warm regards to the people of Pakistan and appreciating Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability.

President Xi said China and Pakistan had always trusted, supported and stood by each other since the establishment of diplomatic relations, describing the friendship as unbreakable.

“Our strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation have greatly contributed to the development of both countries,” President Xi said.

He emphasized that China had consistently prioritized relations with Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy despite changing international circumstances.

The Chinese president also referred to a recent letter he received from Pakistani students studying in China, saying he was encouraged to see the younger generation committed to carrying forward the legacy of Pakistan-China friendship.

President Xi said China was ready to work closely with Pakistan to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, deepen practical cooperation, deliver greater benefits to the people of both countries and contribute to regional peace and stability.