On the afternoon of May 25, President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during his official visit to China.
President Xi noted that over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan have enjoyed mutual understanding, trust and support, and forged an unbreakable traditional friendship. Their strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation have strongly promoted the development of both nations. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always place priority on the development of China-Pakistan relations in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. President Xi shared his pleasure in receiving a letter from Pakistani students studying at Tianjin University, in which they expressed their aspiration to become builders of cooperation, promoters of exchanges, and guardians of friendship between China and Pakistan. President Xi said he was truly heartened to see that the cause of China-Pakistan friendship has dedicated young successors. The two sides should accelerate the development of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and deliver more outcomes from their all-weather cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, contribute to regional peace and stability, and set a fine example for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.
President Xi stressed that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Pakistan, strengthen strategic communication, and steer the bilateral relationship forward in the right direction. The two sides should make solid progress in implementing the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, advance both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood programs, and deepen all-round cooperation in areas such as agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence, and talent cultivation. The two sides should conduct security cooperation even better and in broader areas and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. China appreciates Pakistan for demonstrating a proactive spirit and mediating for peace to return to the Middle East. The two sides should maintain close communication and coordination, jointly oppose unilateralism and the Cold War mentality, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and an economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that President Xi is a great friend of the Pakistani people and also a great friend of all peace-loving humanity. Under President Xi’s strong leadership, China has achieved remarkable economic progress and provided strength for maintaining world peace and building a multipolar world. The ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China was forged personally by the elder generation of leaders. It is growing ever stronger and next to none. Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle and stands resolutely with China on all issues concerning China’s core interests. Pakistan will always be China’s good friend and good partner. Pakistan will celebrate with China the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, learn from China’s governance experience, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, so that the Pakistan-China relationship will continuously grow and benefit the people of both nations. Pakistan appreciates China for supporting its mediation of the negotiations between the United States and Iran. The four propositions put forward by President Xi on the Middle East situation provide a guiding framework for peace in the region. Pakistan stands ready to coordinate closely with China to jointly contribute to world peace and stability.
Wang Yi attended the meeting.
