Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping and appreciated the transformational impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
During the bilateral meeting that took place on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the
Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Friday, the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to high-quality development of the CPEC.
Both leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on
important regional and international issues of mutual interest.
This was the prime minister’s first meeting with the Chinese president since assuming office in April 2022.
The interaction was marked by traditional warmth as well as exceptional mutual trust and
understanding. In his welcoming remarks, the Chinese president described PM Shehbaz as “a person of pragmatism and efficiency”. He added that the prime minister was a leader with “a longstanding commitment to China-Pakistan friendship”.
Noting the enduring nature of Pakistan-China bilateral ties, the prime minister underlined that “our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and Iron brotherhood had withstood the test of time. He reaffirmed his personal resolve to take their bilateral relations to greater heights.
The premier extended his best wishes to President Xi and the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the forthcoming 20th CPC National Congress. The prime minister thanked President Xi, the government and the people of China for the generous and timely support to the flood victims in Pakistan.
He also condoled President Xi over the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the
earthquake in Sichuan province on September 5, 2022, emphasising that the government and people of Pakistan stood with China in the face of this natural calamity. Meanwhile, in a tweet, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Shehbaz had “very successful” talks with Russian and Chinese presidents.
“Both of them have officially invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit their countries. The prime minister has accepted both invitations. There will be a visit to China in November 2022,” the defence minister confirmed.
