Pakistan, China Pledge Deeper Cooperation in Trade, CPEC and Regional Stability

Islamabad, 21 August Ali Imran Chattha 

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, at the Prime Minister’s House today. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and senior cabinet members.

Welcoming the Chinese Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership and people for their consistent support in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China.

The Prime Minister praised President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership and highlighted his own upcoming visit to Tianjin and Beijing, where he will attend the SCO CHS meeting and the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War. He said he looked forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior leaders to further strengthen bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister emphasized enhancing cooperation with China in trade, investment, ICT, agriculture, industrialization, and mines & minerals. He also reiterated the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in boosting socio-economic development and regional connectivity, expressing satisfaction over progress in Phase-II of the project.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Pakistan as China’s “ironclad friend and all-weather strategic partner.” He assured that China would continue supporting Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and would work together to advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity.