Beijing, China – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in China for a strategically significant official visit at a time of international tension. He was accompanied by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, on the four-day trip. The visit follows an intensive regional tour by the army chief, including a stop in Tehran, where he played a pivotal role in mediating between Iran and the United States to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf.
Islamabad’s mediation and call for peace
During extensive bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the world is passing through a “critical moment.” He stressed the need for Islamabad and Beijing to work together sincerely to restore peace in the Middle East.
Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s intensive mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington. He explained the role of the Pakistani army chief in this matter, asserting that things were beginning to move in the right direction. Furthermore, Sharif expressed his appreciation for China’s support for peace efforts and a ceasefire. He affirmed Pakistan’s full support for the peace agenda put forward by the Chinese leadership.
Deepening the strategic partnership
This visit marks a significant milestone in the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During their meetings, the two leaders affirmed that the “strategic cooperative partnership” remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. They also pledged to support each other’s core interests. At the heart of the discussions was the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” (CPEC), described as a transformative tool for development. Both sides agreed to move forward with the implementation of the next phase of the corridor. Particular emphasis was placed on key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, and clean energy.
Escalating security and technical cooperation
The talks were not limited to economic matters, but also included security and strategic coordination. Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated his country’s firm commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects in Pakistan.
The meeting also saw an emphasis on expanding cooperation to include emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and space technologies. Sharif noted that the selection of Pakistani astronauts for the Chinese space station program exemplifies the depth of strategic alignment.
The visit concluded with the signing of a series of memoranda of understanding and protocols covering trade, investment, climate change, media, and people-to-people exchanges. This reflects a practical approach to translating historic goodwill into tangible results that promote shared prosperity. These outcomes also aim to address current regional and international challenges.
