During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Chinese president on Pakistan’s policies for economic reform and sustained growth in multiple areas including industries, agriculture, regional connectivity, etc.

The two leaders were accompanied by federal ministers and senior officials from both sides. This was the first meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with President Xi Jinping since assuming the office in 2024.

The prime minister thanked President Xi Jinping for the warm and gracious welcome accorded to him and his delegation in China.

Also read: High-profile event in China echoes with Pakistani national songs

During the meeting, the prime minister highlighted the role of the CPEC in the development of Pakistan and also asserted Pakistan’s commitment to the high-quality development of the CPEC.

He also stressed the need for fostering a synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination.

The prime minister also recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan in 2015 when the CPEC was formally launched, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relationship.

While reaffirming the time-honoured ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’, the two leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation across diverse domains ranging from political and security to economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Also read: Govt’s reform measures yielding results, says PM Shehbaz

They also exchanged views on regional and global developments including Afghanistan, Palestine and South Asia including the serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The two leaders reiterated their longstanding support on each other’s issues of core interest. The prime minister commended President Xi’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI) and underscored that as the flagship project of the BRI, the CPEC has significantly contributed to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

He underlined Pakistan’s commitment for the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. The prime minister also underlined a people-centric agenda of the Pakistani government for the socio-economic development that also embraces the concept of ‘shared prosperity’ adopted by China.

President Xi also hosted a banquet in honour of the prime minister, where another round of discussion on different matters of mutual interests was held.