Key Points
- Pakistan reaffirms its constructive role in promoting regional peace and de-escalation
- Both sides commit to advancing CPEC 2.0 with focus on trade, agriculture, and infrastructure
- China reiterates strong support for Pakistan’s economic reforms and long-term partnership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s proactive and constructive role in promoting regional de-escalation and stability came into focus during a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday.
Aligning with the significance of the engagement, the prime minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, while also reaffirming the country’s enduring strategic partnership with China.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and the Foreign Secretary.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful conclusion of China’s annual “Two Sessions” and expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for their warm felicitations on Pakistan Day.
Highlighting the depth of bilateral cooperation, the prime minister acknowledged China’s consistent economic support and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to advance the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).
He emphasized that the new phase would prioritize agriculture, industrial collaboration, and key infrastructure development projects to boost economic growth.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, in his remarks, praised Pakistan’s economic resilience and ongoing reform measures. He reaffirmed China’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development, particularly through enhanced trade and investment cooperation.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral engagements and agreed to maintain momentum through increased high-level exchanges, especially as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Reiterating the strength of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the importance of close coordination at all levels on regional and global issues of shared interest.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared vision of deeper cooperation and mutual support, underlining the long-standing friendship between Islamabad and Beijing.
Beyond economic cooperation, the meeting reflects the growing strategic alignment between Islamabad and Beijing at a time of shifting regional dynamics.
Pakistan’s emphasis on de-escalation signals its intent to position itself as a responsible and stabilizing actor in South Asia and beyond.
Analysts note that the renewed push for CPEC 2.0 could play a pivotal role in revitalizing Pakistan’s economy by attracting fresh investment, enhancing industrial productivity, and improving connectivity.
The focus on agriculture and industrial cooperation is also expected to generate employment and strengthen supply chains.
The upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China is being viewed as a milestone opportunity to further deepen bilateral ties.
High-level exchanges planned in this context are likely to translate into new agreements and expanded collaboration across multiple sectors.
The continued reaffirmation of the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” highlights the consistency and resilience of Pakistan-China relations, which have remained strong despite regional and global uncertainties.
