Closer China-Pakistan ties urged for better outcomes

President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China and Pakistan should accelerate the development of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and deliver more outcomes from their all-weather cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, contribute to regional peace and stability, and set a fine example for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on a four-day official visit to China, as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Over the past 75 years, China and Pakistan have enjoyed mutual understanding, trust and support, and forged an unbreakable traditional friendship, Xi said, adding that their strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation have strongly promoted the development of both nations.

No matter how the international landscape may evolve, Beijing will always place priority on the development of China-Pakistan relations in its diplomacy with neighboring countries, he noted.

Xi emphasized China's firm support for Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed readiness to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and steer the relationship forward in the right direction.

The two sides should advance both major signature projects and "small and beautiful" livelihood programs, and deepen all-around cooperation in areas such as agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence and talent cultivation, he said.

Xi also shared his pleasure in receiving a letter from Pakistani students at Tianjin University, in which they expressed their aspiration to become builders of cooperation, promoters of exchanges and guardians of friendship between the two countries.

Xi added that he was truly heartened to see that the cause of China-Pakistan friendship has dedicated young successors.

Sharif described President Xi as a great friend of the Pakistani people and of all peace-loving people around the world, saying that the ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China "is growing ever stronger and is next to none".

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its support for China's position on all issues concerning its core interests.

He expressed Pakistan's readiness to learn from China's governance experience, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, advance the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and further develop bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.

On multilateral affairs, Xi said the two countries should conduct higher-level security cooperation over a broader area and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

China commends Pakistan for taking the initiative to play a mediating role in restoring peace in the Middle East, Xi said, calling on the two sides to maintain close communication and coordination, jointly oppose unilateralism and Cold War mentality, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and an economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive.

Sharif thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation efforts in talks between the United States and Iran, saying that Xi's four propositions on the Middle East situation offer guidance for achieving peace in the region.

Pakistan is willing to coordinate closely with China to jointly contribute to world peace and stability, he added.

Also on Monday, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Sharif, and said that China is ready to work with Pakistan to further advance the construction of the CPEC, import more high-quality Pakistani products and actively build an upgraded version of the bilateral free trade agreement.

Li expressed the hope that Pakistan will continue to take necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the country.

Sharif welcomed Chinese companies to invest and thrive in Pakistan, pledging that the country would continue to take strong measures to provide a safer and better business environment.

After the talks, Li and Sharif witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering trade, science and technology, agriculture and food, human resources and other areas.

China is Pakistan's largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for Pakistani exports. Statistics show that the CPEC has garnered over $25.9 billion in direct investment and created over 260,000 jobs.

Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's minister for planning, development and special initiatives, said on Sunday that Pakistan-China relations are entering a new era of high-quality development, technological cooperation, agricultural and industrial modernization, and deeper regional integration.

He described the CPEC as a symbol of the two countries' shared vision for peace and prosperity, saying that the relationship has never experienced an "autumn" but has always remained in "spring", with new waves of cooperation emerging year after year.