Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations and pledged to transform the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties into a new chapter of strategic, practical, and future-oriented cooperation.
The two leaders held a warm and comprehensive meeting in Beijing during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China from May 23–26, 2026. The engagement underscored the exceptional depth of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and reflected the shared commitment of both countries to regional peace, economic collaboration, and global stability.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, senior ministers, and high-ranking government officials accompanied the prime minister during the engagements.
During the meeting, President Xi Jinping highly appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and sincere efforts toward promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. He commended Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement aimed at facilitating dialogue and reducing regional tensions.
“China and Pakistan have always understood each other, trusted each other, and supported each other,” President Xi said, noting that the strategic trust and practical cooperation between the two countries had significantly contributed to their mutual development and regional stability.
President Xi also welcomed Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and acknowledged his diplomatic outreach and peace-building efforts during recent engagements with regional leadership. He further emphasized that China would continue to prioritize its relationship with Pakistan as a cornerstone of its neighbourhood diplomacy, irrespective of changing international dynamics.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Pakistan-China partnership, describing it as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a stabilizing force in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for China on its core interests, including the One-China Principle, and expressed gratitude for China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic stability, and national development.
Highlighting the significance of the historic bilateral relationship, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership and transformative role in elevating China into a major global economic and technological power. Referring to his earlier visit to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, the prime minister particularly appreciated President Xi’s contribution to the province’s remarkable development during his tenure there.
The prime minister also welcomed and endorsed President Xi’s major global initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative, terming them important frameworks for promoting international cooperation, shared prosperity, and sustainable peace.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to further deepen strategic coordination and accelerate high-quality development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He underscored the importance of aligning China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s national development vision, “Uraan Pakistan,” to unlock broader cooperation in industrialization, digital transformation, agriculture, science and technology, connectivity, and clean energy.
The prime minister also welcomed the inclusion of Pakistani astronauts in China’s space station programme, calling it a powerful symbol of expanding bilateral cooperation in advanced scientific and technological sectors.
President Xi Jinping, while reflecting on the historic friendship between the two countries, noted that the relationship was founded on mutual respect, trust, and unwavering support. He observed that younger generations in both countries were carrying forward this legacy with enthusiasm and commitment, referring to a recent letter he received from Pakistani students studying in China.
The Chinese president reaffirmed Beijing’s readiness to work closely with Pakistan in building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, deepening practical cooperation, and promoting regional peace and prosperity.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed appreciation for China’s constructive support in promoting peace efforts and facilitating the recent ceasefire process involving the United States and Iran. He noted that substantial diplomatic progress had been achieved and expressed optimism regarding the restoration of peace and stability in the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s sincere and proactive diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue among regional and international stakeholders during a highly sensitive period in the Gulf region. He acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in maintaining close diplomatic coordination with regional leadership.
The prime minister observed that the regional crisis had affected not only the economies of the Gulf and South Asia, including Pakistan as a net importer of oil and petroleum products, but also the broader global economy. He stressed the collective responsibility of nations to work together for peace, stability, and economic continuity.
Premier Li Qiang appreciated Pakistan’s close communication and coordination with China and acknowledged Pakistan’s role in safeguarding common regional interests and contributing positively to peace efforts.
“China is ready to work with Pakistan to strengthen solidarity, carry forward traditional friendship, firmly support each other, and continuously expand practical cooperation,” Premier Li stated.
A major highlight of the visit was the signing and exchange of 15 agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), protocols, and cooperation documents spanning multiple sectors, reflecting the growing breadth and depth of Pakistan-China collaboration.
The agreements covered economic development cooperation, climate change and environmental protection, agriculture, science and technology, education, media collaboration, human resource development, counterterrorism cooperation, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides also signed protocols concerning the export of dried fruits, nuts, and maize to China, as well as cooperation agreements related to veterinary vaccines, conformity assessment, documentary co-production, and academic collaboration between educational and policy institutions of the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the agreements as a testament to the expanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and noted that they would create new opportunities for economic growth, technological advancement, and public welfare in both countries.
As part of his engagements in Beijing, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square to pay tribute to the martyrs of China’s revolutionary struggle. The prime minister and his delegation were accorded full ceremonial honours during the solemn ceremony.
Earlier, the prime minister received a guard of honour at the Great Hall of the People, where he was formally welcomed by Premier Li Qiang. National anthems of Pakistan and China were played, and contingents of the Chinese armed forces presented ceremonial honours.
On the sidelines of the official reception, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also held an informal interaction with Premier Li Qiang, during which both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit also included engagements in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he chaired the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference focusing on information technology, telecommunications, battery energy storage systems, and agriculture.
The visit marks another significant milestone in the longstanding Pakistan-China friendship and reinforces the shared determination of both nations to advance comprehensive strategic cooperation for regional peace, economic development, and a shared future.
