Thu, September 17, 2026
Beijing (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by Chinese Premier Li Qiang upon his arrival at the Great Hall, where the two sides later engaged in delegation-level discussions covering bilateral cooperation and important regional matters.
As part of the official reception ceremony, both leaders introduced members of their delegations while the national anthems of Pakistan and China were played. PM Shehbaz was also presented with a guard of honour.
Prime Minister Shehbaz introduced Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and other members of the Pakistani delegation, while Premier Li introduced members of the Chinese cabinet.
Addressing the gathering, the Chinese premier praised Pakistan for maintaining close coordination with Beijing and acknowledged its constructive contribution towards regional peace and stability.Islamabad, Beijing Strengthen Coordination on Middle East Developments
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship and broadening cooperation with Pakistan in multiple sectors.
Premier Li also remarked that the forthcoming meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would play a significant role in providing strategic direction for enhancing ties between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for extending the invitation to visit China, adding that every trip to the country showcased remarkable progress and development. He noted that Pakistan and China were commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations and enduring friendship, saying the partnership was rooted in the vision of the founding leaders of both nations.
The prime minister also conveyed condolences over the tragic coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi province and assured the affected families of Pakistan’s full solidarity and support.
Referring to the prevailing regional environment, PM Shehbaz said the world was currently going through a highly sensitive period and stated that Pakistan had sincerely contributed to facilitating communication between the United States and Iran.
He further revealed that Field Marshal Asim Munir had recently returned from Tehran, where he played an important role in maintaining contacts between the Iranian and American leaderships.
“We pray that peace is restored permanently. Considerable progress has been made, and matters are moving in the right direction,” the prime minister said.
Earlier on Monday, PM Shehbaz was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honur at the Great Hall of the People, where he arrived to meet his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang and hold the delegation-level talks.
As he reached the venue for the official reception, Premier Li Qiang personally greeted the visiting Pakistani prime minister.
The two leaders exchanged a handshake and then proceeded to introduce their delegations to one another in a formal yet cordial setting.
The national anthems of Pakistan and China were played while both leaders stood at the salute dais, underscoring the ceremonial significance of the occasion.
Shortly afterwards, a disciplined contingent of the Chinese armed forces presented a guard of honour, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inspected.
PM Shehbaz is undertaking an official visit to China from May 23 to 26, 2026.
In the initial phase of the visit, he travelled to Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, where he chaired the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference covering key sectors such as information technology and telecommunications, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and agriculture.
During his stay in Beijing, he is expected to meet top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, alongside attending a reception organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
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