Beijing: China and Pakistan have agreed to deepen their long standing partnership with new commitments on trade, infrastructure, and regional security during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Beijing.
The two countries announced what they called a “new broad consensus” after meetings between Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Premier Li Qiang. Leaders from both nations said they would continue expanding cooperation under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, widely known as CPEC, which remains one of the biggest international infrastructure projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The visit comes at an important time for both countries as Pakistan seeks stronger foreign investment to support its economy, while China looks to strengthen its influence and connectivity across South Asia and the Middle East.
In a joint statement released after the talks, both governments pledged to push forward “high quality development” of CPEC projects. The corridor connects western China to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea through a network of highways, railways, energy plants, and industrial zones.
Chinese officials described the relationship with Pakistan as “ironclad” and said the friendship between the two countries had remained strong despite changing global conditions. President Xi reportedly told Sharif that China would continue supporting Pakistan’s economic development and stability.
One of the major areas discussed during the meetings was transport and regional connectivity. Both countries agreed to continue upgrading the Karakoram Highway and improve movement through the Khunjerab Pass, an important border crossing between the two nations. Officials also said they would welcome greater international participation in future CPEC related projects.
During the visit, companies from both sides signed business agreements worth around 1.22 billion US dollars. These agreements covered sectors including energy, electric vehicles, technology, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Pakistani officials said the new investments could help create jobs and improve industrial growth in the country.
Sharif also held meetings with executives from several leading Chinese companies involved in electric vehicle production and charging infrastructure. Pakistan has been trying to attract more investment into clean energy and modern transport as it faces growing energy demands and rising fuel costs.
Security was another key topic during the discussions. China has repeatedly expressed concern over attacks targeting Chinese workers and projects in Pakistan over the past few years. Several Chinese nationals have been killed in militant attacks, especially in areas linked to large infrastructure developments.
Pakistan assured Beijing that stronger security measures would be taken to protect Chinese citizens and investments. Both countries also discussed cooperation against militant groups operating in the region.
Regional developments were closely linked to the talks as well. China praised Pakistan’s efforts in supporting peace and dialogue during recent tensions connected to the United States and Iran crisis. The two sides also expressed support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing instability in the Middle East.
Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the “One China” policy and stated that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. In return, China appreciated Pakistan’s role in regional peace efforts, including discussions related to Afghanistan.
Political analysts say the renewed partnership highlights the importance of China Pakistan ties at a time of growing geopolitical competition in Asia. For Pakistan, China remains one of its closest allies and biggest economic partners. For China, Pakistan provides strategic access to the Arabian Sea and an important gateway for trade and energy routes.
The latest agreements are expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the years ahead, particularly in infrastructure, security, technology, and regional diplomacy.