On the morning of May 25, Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Sharif was on an official visit to China.
Li Qiang stated that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Over the past 75 years, regardless of changes in the international landscape, China and Pakistan have always stood together through storms and supported each other, forging an unbreakable and deep friendship. Amid the current complex and volatile international situation, maintaining close communication and collaboration between China and Pakistan serves to protect the common interests of both countries and inject positive energy into regional peace. Later this afternoon, President Xi Jinping will meet with the Prime Minister to provide strategic guidance for further deepening bilateral relations. China always prioritizes its relationship and cooperation with Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy and is willing to stand more closely with Pakistan, carry forward traditional friendship, firmly support each other, continuously expand practical cooperation, and yield more fruitful results in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to work with Pakistan to deepen the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, continue to advance major connectivity projects between the two countries, and strengthen cooperation in industries, mining, agriculture, people’s livelihoods, and finance. China is willing to import more high-quality products from Pakistan, actively work with Pakistan to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement, and promote the expansion and improvement of bilateral trade. The two sides can also explore cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and green energy to jointly cultivate new development drivers. China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in human resources development and welcomes more young Pakistani students to study and further their education in China. It is hoped that Pakistan will continue to take necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, creating a secure and stable environment for cooperation.
Shehbaz Sharif stated that under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved remarkable development progress. Developing relations with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan adheres to the One-China principle and firmly supports China’s just stance on core interests such as Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and maritime issues. Pakistan is willing to learn from China’s economic and social development experience, further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, accelerate the construction of the “CPEC 2.0 Upgrade,” expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, artificial intelligence, and technology, and continuously advance the Pakistan-China community with a shared future. Pakistan welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country and will continue to take strong measures to provide a safer and better business environment. Pakistan actively supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to work closely with China in multilateral communication and coordination to contribute to the peaceful and stable development of the world and the region.
Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for Shehbaz Sharif in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
After the talks, the two premiers jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in fields such as economy and trade, science and technology, agriculture and food, and human resources.
Wu Zhenglong participated in the above activities.
Great Hall of the People
Beijing
<