BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the longstanding and time-tested friendship between China and Pakistan as ideal during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing.
The meeting, deemed crucial, took place at the historic Great Hall of the People, where both leaders discussed various matters of mutual interest.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception during his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s relationship with China. President Xi Jinping echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the strategic ties between the two countries continue to strengthen over time.
The leaders agreed on enhancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and ensuring the timely completion of major development projects. They also delved into regional and international affairs, including discussions on Afghanistan, Palestine, and the Kashmir issue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi reaffirmed their consensus on the high-quality development of the CPEC and the timely completion of major ongoing projects.
The two leaders also affirmed their consensus on upgrading the CPEC and advancing the development of the mega project in its second phase.
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, also participated in the meeting, underscoring the multifaceted nature of Pak-China relations. President Xi Jinping hailed the friendship between the two nations, describing them as good partners who stand by each other through thick and thin.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Chinese citizens, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. He highlighted that Pakistan’s development agenda aligns with China’s vision of ‘shared prosperity.’
The prime minister briefed President Xi on Pakistan’s policies for economic reform and sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernization, and regional connectivity, and the critical role played by CPEC in Pakistan’s development.
He asserted Pakistan’s commitment to the high-quality development of CPEC and to fostering synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination.
The premier thanked President Xi Jinping for the warm and gracious welcome accorded to him and his delegation in China. He recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan in 2015 when the CPEC was formally operationalized, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relationship.
The two leaders reaffirmed the time-honored ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ and expressed their resolve to further deepen cooperation across diverse domains ranging from political and security to economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments including Afghanistan, Palestine, and South Asia, including the serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The two sides reiterated their longstanding support for each other’s issues of core interest.
President Xi Jinping hosted a dinner in honor of the Prime Minister, providing another opportunity for discussions on mutual interests and further strengthening bilateral ties.
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