Islamabad (Agencies): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, reaffirming the strong strategic partnership between the two nations and discussing key areas of cooperation, including security, economic development, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, congratulating them on the successful convening of China’s “Two Sessions” of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral relations, highlighting President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to Beijing as a testament to their growing ties.
Shehbaz Sharif thanked China for its longstanding support on Pakistan’s core issues and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for China. He reiterated the commitment of both nations to strengthening the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and taking it to new heights.
The leaders also reviewed progress on security and counter-terrorism cooperation, ensuring the protection of Chinese personnel and investments in Pakistan. With this year marking the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s historic 2015 visit to Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to celebrate the occasion fittingly and extended a formal invitation for President Xi to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Emphasizing the importance of timely completion of projects under CPEC, the Prime Minister underscored the need for both sides to work closely to accelerate development initiatives.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, in response, appreciated the Pakistani government’s efforts to stabilize its economy and reaffirmed China’s full support for Pakistan’s national development. He also briefed the Prime Minister on the latest advancements in bilateral cooperation, reinforcing China’s commitment to deepening economic and strategic ties.