Pakistan, China agree to accelerate CPEC 2.0

-- PM Shehbaz and Premier Li Qiang elevate strategic partnership

BEIJING: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday agreed to fast-track the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reaffirming their commitment to taking bilateral relations into a new era of practical, high-quality and results-oriented cooperation.

Premier Li Qiang warmly received Prime Minister Shehbaz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during a high-level meeting held in the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction over the continued expansion of cooperation in political, economic, strategic, security and people-to-people fields.

The two sides acknowledged the transformative role played by CPEC in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and reiterated their resolve to accelerate the implementation of CPEC Phase-II, with a particular focus on industrialisation, regional connectivity, agricultural modernisation, digital transformation, science and technology, clean energy and socio-economic uplift.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations should serve as a milestone for translating the historic friendship between the two nations into practical, people-centric and future-oriented outcomes.

He underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and close strategic coordination to further deepen the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Islamabad and Beijing.

The prime minister also proposed aligning China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan’s national development framework, “Uraan Pakistan,” stating that such synchronisation would help accelerate development priorities and expand mutually beneficial cooperation across multiple sectors.

Expressing gratitude for China’s continued support to Pakistan’s economic stability and national development, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to ensuring foolproof security for Chinese citizens, institutions and projects operating in Pakistan.

On emerging technologies, the prime minister called for enhanced collaboration in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and space exploration. He noted that the inclusion of Pakistani astronauts in China’s space station programme reflected the growing depth of cooperation in new strategic domains.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination, expedite the implementation of agreed projects and advance bilateral cooperation into a new phase marked by practical achievements and high-quality development.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi.

Later, state-run Pakistan Television reported that the two leaders also witnessed the signing and exchange of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), protocols and cooperation agreements aimed at expanding Pakistan-China collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, climate change, education, science and technology, media and people-to-people exchanges.

Officials described the signing ceremony as a major step towards broadening institutional cooperation and reinforcing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries in both traditional and emerging sectors.

PM Shehbaz Calls for Global Peace Amid Gulf Tensions

Addressing the gathering at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the world was passing through “a very critical moment” and stressed the need for collective efforts to restore peace and stability amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.

“We have to really be together so that the world at large is at peace,” the prime minister said.

He highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran, stating that Pakistan had played a “very sincere role” in mediation efforts.

The prime minister revealed that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had recently returned from Tehran after consultations with Iranian leadership and travelled overnight to participate in the Beijing engagements.

He added that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had also remained actively engaged with regional stakeholders in support of peace initiatives.

“We pray to Allah Almighty that peace will be restored. A lot of ground has been covered, and things are moving in the right direction,” he remarked.

PM Shehbaz warned that ongoing regional instability was affecting both regional and global economies, especially oil-importing countries such as Pakistan.

“Pakistan, being a net importer of oil and petroleum products, has also felt the economic impact,” he said.

The prime minister thanked the Chinese leadership for supporting peace and ceasefire efforts and acknowledged Beijing’s endorsement of President Xi Jinping’s four-point agenda and five-point support programme following consultations between the foreign ministers of both countries.

Calling his visit to China “always a great pleasure,” PM Shehbaz thanked the Chinese leadership for its warm hospitality and praised the country’s remarkable development.

“Each time we come, we see new changes and major developments,” he observed.

At the beginning of his remarks, the prime minister also expressed condolences over the tragic gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province that claimed 82 lives, conveying solidarity with the bereaved families.

Reflecting on Pakistan-China ties, PM Shehbaz said the two nations were celebrating “75 years of glorious friendship and diplomatic relations,” adding that the relationship forged by the founding leaders of both countries had laid a strong foundation that continued to grow stronger with time.

Earlier, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Pakistan and China had maintained close communication and coordination, safeguarded shared interests and contributed positive energy towards regional peace and stability.

He reaffirmed China’s readiness to work closely with Pakistan to deepen traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and expand practical cooperation for building a shared future for both nations.

Upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Shehbaz was accorded a guard of honour, while the national anthems of Pakistan and China were played before the two leaders introduced their respective delegations.