Islamabad, In a pivotal meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People today, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif engaged in extensive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This significant encounter, marking Prime Minister Sharif’s first official meeting with President Xi since taking office in 2024, underscored the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the leaders reviewed the robust ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ and committed to enhancing cooperation across various sectors including political, security, economic, trade, and cultural exchanges. The meeting also touched on regional and global issues, with both sides expressing solidarity on core interests and concerns such as Afghanistan, Palestine, and the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Highlighting the transformative impact of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), initiated during President Xi’s 2015 visit to Pakistan, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the project’s second phase. This involves high-quality development of CPEC projects, focusing on Pakistan’s socio-economic uplift, industrial development, and agricultural modernization.

Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals and projects within Pakistan, emphasizing the government’s policies aimed at economic reform and sustained growth. The discussions also reflected a shared vision for ‘shared prosperity’ and regional connectivity, pivotal elements of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative.

The meeting concluded with a banquet hosted by President Xi, where further discussions on mutual interests continued, signaling a continued strong bilateral relationship.