Li Qiang holds talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz

On October 14, during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Pakistan, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in discussions about their countries’ strategic partnership.

Li emphasized that China and Pakistan share an all-weather strategic cooperation, characterized by mutual understanding, trust, and support. He noted that during a meeting in June, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sharif laid out further plans for the development of China-Pakistan relations. Li reiterated China’s commitment to prioritizing its relationship with Pakistan in its foreign policy and expressed a desire to work together to implement the leaders’ important consensus. He emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic coordination and deepening cooperation across various fields, aiming to build a closer community with a shared future in the new era while advancing both countries’ modernization and national rejuvenation.

Li also underscored China’s unwavering support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its right to pursue a development path suited to its national circumstances. He expressed China’s willingness to focus on upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, accelerating the implementation of major projects in railways, roads, ports, and enhancing integration in various industries, including agriculture, mining, information technology, and energy. Li encouraged Pakistan to maintain a favorable business environment for Chinese enterprises and to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan. He reiterated China’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts and offered assistance in strengthening Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities. Li highlighted the importance of bilateral coordination in advocating for a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization to safeguard peace and promote regional prosperity in Asia.

Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated China on the successful convening of the 20th Central Committee’s third plenary session and praised China’s significant achievements under President Xi’s leadership. He reaffirmed the enduring strength of the China-Pakistan friendship and highlighted its importance as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the One China principle and full support for China on core issues like Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. He expressed gratitude for the valuable assistance China has provided to Pakistan’s development over the years and extended condolences for the recent tragic loss of Chinese personnel in a terror attack in Pakistan, pledging to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and to ensure the safety of all Chinese nationals and entities within Pakistan.

The discussions concluded with both leaders participating in a ceremony for the exchange of cooperation agreements in areas such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, livelihood assistance, science and technology, broadcasting, and inspection and quarantine. Prior to the talks, Shehbaz honored Li with a welcome ceremony. During the visit, both nations jointly issued a “Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”