Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Strengthens Ties with China in Beijing Visit

Islamabad, Sep 4 (PTI): Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, visited Beijing on Thursday, where he met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The meeting highlighted the deep and enduring nature of the Pakistan-China relationship as both sides pledged to strengthen their iron-clad, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the two leaders also committed to advancing the next stage of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0), which encompasses five new corridors.

"During their warm and friendly meeting, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-China relations," the report stated.

Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to China for its unwavering support for Pakistan's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development.

Praising China's remarkable progress under President Xi Jinping, Sharif expressed a desire for Pakistan to emulate China's successes, aspiring to build a stronger Pakistan-China community with a shared future.

The Prime Minister underscored the transformative role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a central component of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in Pakistan's development over the past decade.

He highlighted the urgency of completing key projects like the Main Line-1 railway and the Karakorum Highway realignment, as well as making the Gwadar Port operational.

Sharif emphasized the significant potential for business-to-business cooperation and investment, noting the recent B2B Investment Conference attended by over 300 Pakistani and 500 Chinese companies.

He identified sectors such as agriculture, mines and minerals, textiles, industry, and IT as priorities for economic collaboration.

Furthermore, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for President Xi's initiatives to bolster multilateralism, including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative.

During the meeting, the leaders also oversaw the signing of various Memorandums of Understanding and agreements concerning CPEC 2.0 and collaboration in areas such as science and technology, IT, media, and agriculture.

Sharif arrived in China on Saturday for a six-day visit that included participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.

He also attended a grand military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

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