Pakistan Strengthens Strategic Ties with China and Russia at High-Level Meetings

XINHUA, APP

Beijing: Pakistan and China on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their iron-clad and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership through enhanced cooperation, reflecting their unique and unparalleled bilateral relationship.

The understanding came during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders agreed to further consolidate bilateral ties and continue close coordination on important regional and global developments.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with China for the successful implementation of the next phase of the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with its five new corridors. He also lauded President Xi’s leadership and China’s modernization achievements, noting Pakistan takes pride in China’s progress.

Shehbaz appreciated China’s unflinching support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socio-economic development, describing CPEC as the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He endorsed Xi Jinping’s global initiatives, including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, as vital for world peace and stability.

President Xi assured continued Chinese assistance to Pakistan in economic growth and development, especially under the second phase of CPEC, focusing on key economic sectors.

During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders expressed satisfaction over expanding cooperation and acknowledged the mutual trust and warmth underpinning Pakistan-Russia relations. They discussed enhancing ties in trade connectivity, energy, agriculture, investment, defense, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people exchanges.

Shehbaz highlighted flagship projects such as the Pakistan Steel Mill revival and new connectivity initiatives as symbols of long-term Pakistan-Russia friendship. Putin welcomed Pakistan’s role in regional peace and emphasized cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Both leaders also exchanged views on Afghanistan, South Asia, the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, and global disputes such as Palestine and Kashmir.

In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, culture, and regional security. They reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen relations rooted in shared cultural, historical, and religious ties.