Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strategic cooperative partnership, emphasizing mutual trust and shared principles, during a high-level meeting in Islamabad between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The meeting highlighted the growing strength of bilateral relations and addressed a wide range of issues, including regional and international matters of mutual interest.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to the high-quality development of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), underscoring the importance of completing ongoing projects in sectors such as industry, agriculture, information technology, and science and technology. Prime Minister Sharif assured the safety of Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan, emphasizing the productive nature of his discussions with Premier Li.
The two leaders presided over the virtual inauguration of the new Gwadar International Airport, a significant milestone in the CPEC initiative. Prime Minister Sharif described the airport as a gift from China, reflecting its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic development and promoting growth in underdeveloped areas. He expressed confidence that the airport would transform Gwadar’s economy and contribute to Pakistan’s overall economic progress.
During the visit, Pakistan and China signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and defense. Notable agreements included the renewal of the currency swap agreement and a protocol on quarantine requirements for the export of donkey meat to China. However, no MoU was signed regarding the re-profiling of Chinese Independent Power Producer (IPP) debt.
The meeting also focused on the relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan and strategies to increase Chinese investment. Both sides agreed to continue high-level exchanges and strengthen cooperation in all bilateral areas, including counter-terrorism and security.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang praised the role of Pakistan’s armed forces in combating terrorism and assured continued support from China. He highlighted the New Gwadar International Airport as a critical step in enhancing regional connectivity and a testament to the strength of China-Pakistan cooperation.
The visit also included discussions on the construction of the Mainline-1 (ML-1) railway project, with China agreeing to finance the first phase from Karachi to Hyderabad. The financing agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
In addition to infrastructure and economic cooperation, the two countries signed agreements to promote cultural exchanges, enhance digital infrastructure, and strengthen social and livelihood projects under CPEC. These initiatives aim to support Pakistan’s socio-economic development and align with broader regional goals under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The visit concluded with a formal welcome ceremony for Premier Li at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was received by Prime Minister Sharif and given a guard of honor. The Chinese premier’s visit to Pakistan precedes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, further underscoring the importance of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
