Sino-Pak ties hailed as ‘two souls, one heart’ as PM wraps up China visit

• Premier Shehbaz concludes four-day visit after meetings with Xi Jinping and Li Qiang

• Both sides sign accords in economy, climate, trade, tech, education and counterterrorism

• PM hails Pakistan-China ties as unmatched in international diplomacy as Beijing reaffirms unwavering support for Pakistan

• Leaders call for stronger China-Pakistan community with shared future amid global uncertainty

• PM highlights AI, IT as top priorities under CPEC 2.0 economic framework, assuring Chinese investors of facilitation for expansion of business operations in Pakistan

 BEIJING/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, describing bilateral ties as “two souls and one heart,” as he concluded his four-day official visit to China after wide-ranging engagements with the Chinese leadership aimed at further strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and Secretary General of the China-CEEC Cooperation Secretariat Hua Chunying saw off the Prime Minister at the airport.

بیجنگ: 26 مئی 2026.

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کا چین کا چار روزہ دورہ مکمل ہوگیا. وزیراعظم شہباز شریف چین کا کامیاب دورہ مکمل کرنے کے بعد وطن روانہ ہوگئے.

چینی وزارتِ خارجہ کی نائب وزیر اور چین- سی ای ای سی تعاون سیکریٹریٹ کی سیکریٹری جنرل ہوا چون ینگ نے وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کو… pic.twitter.com/LTKGn1sqpd

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 26, 2026

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held important meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and also participated in high-level commemorative events marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

Both sides signed multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding covering cooperation in economy, environment and climate change, agriculture and food security, trade, media, science and technology, counterterrorism and education, aimed at further deepening bilateral relations.

A joint statement was also issued at the conclusion of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Addressing a special ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Prime Minister said the historic relationship between Islamabad and Beijing had been built on unwavering commitment, trust and dedication by visionary leadership on both sides over more than seven decades

''In the past seven decades, China has risen to the zenith of glory through dint of hard work and untiring efforts. China’s remarkable journey offers a great lesson to nations around the world on how steadfastness and perseverance can overcome poverty, unemployment, and… pic.twitter.com/ygDTo3uKnE

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 26, 2026

He said Pakistan-China relations had reached an unprecedented level in international diplomacy, adding that no parallel existed for the depth of trust, cooperation and mutual respect between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised China’s remarkable transformation into a global economic and technological power, crediting its success to perseverance, discipline and consistent leadership.

He said China’s development model offered valuable lessons for developing countries on overcoming poverty, unemployment and economic challenges.

“Today’s China stands as a shining example that with determination and consistency, even the most difficult goals can be achieved,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister particularly lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping for lifting over 800 million people out of poverty and creating large-scale opportunities through visionary policies.

He said that despite China’s growing global stature, President Xi’s emphasis on peace, dialogue and diplomacy in resolving international disputes had made him one of the most respected leaders of the modern era.

Recalling historic moments in Pakistan-China relations, the Prime Minister mentioned the warm welcome extended to former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during his visit to Lahore decades ago, when he was accompanied by former Pakistani foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He also highlighted China’s assistance to Pakistan during the devastating 2010 floods, noting the active participation of Chinese experts, helicopters and rescue teams in relief operations.

“There are countless such inspiring episodes in our shared history. This friendship has weathered every storm,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the roots of Pakistan-China friendship had grown deeper over time and emphasized that it was now the shared responsibility of both nations to further strengthen the relationship for future generations.

He expressed confidence that Pakistan could one day develop a “mini-Chinese economic model” through collective effort, reforms and determination.

Beijing reaffirms unwavering support for Pakistan

Earlier, addressing the ceremony, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng congratulated both countries on the milestone anniversary and reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Pakistan.

He described China and Pakistan as “good friends connected by geography and a shared future,” noting that their traditional friendship had been forged by earlier generations of leadership.

He acknowledged Pakistan’s support during the early years of the People’s Republic of China, including its role in helping Beijing break international isolation and regain its rightful seat at the United Nations.

Han Zheng said China had always stood firmly with Pakistan in times of need, adding that projects such as the Karakoram Highway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0) had delivered tangible benefits to both peoples.

He said China was ready to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), align its 15th Five-Year Development Plan with Pakistan’s URAAN initiative, and accelerate modernization through enhanced collaboration.

He further said that amid global uncertainty, China and Pakistan had even greater reason to strengthen coordination and advance the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

 Visit to Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences

The premier also visited the Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences in Beijing, where he asserted that the two nations must expand their “ironclad brotherhood” to cooperation in agriculture, industry, research and development.

.براہِ راست:وزیرِ اعظم کا بیجنگ میں چا ئنیز اکیڈمی آف ایگریکلچر سائنسز کا دورہ و خطاب https://t.co/g1cCQ13ULY

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 26, 2026

Referring to an MoU signed with the academy, PM Shehbaz stressed that it needed a “strong push”, stating, “I give you my irrevocable commitment that I will work with you and your team to achieve all those milestones in our agricultural sector which we have been longing for ages”.

The premier noted that Pakistan’s Agriculture Research Centre remained “dormant”. In that regard, he invited the Chinese academy to take on the management of the institutions and “bring in the world’s finest scientists” to the centre.

PM invites Chinese firms to SEZs under CPEC 2.0

Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Shehbaz highlighted vast investment opportunities in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC 2.0, assuring full government support to Chinese companies for expanding their operations in Pakistan and further strengthening bilateral economic, trade and technological cooperation.

Addressing a ceremony at the IBI Corporation Headquarters in Beijing, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of deepening Pakistan-China economic and commercial engagement, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and strengthening institutional linkages between the business communities of the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing at IBI Corporation. pic.twitter.com/MTGUg63mvS

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 26, 2026

He said such growing cooperation remained a key pillar of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.

Referring to the recent visit of an IBI delegation to Islamabad, the Prime Minister assured the corporation of full facilitation for the expansion of its business activities in Pakistan.

He said that under CPEC 2.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) were among Pakistan’s top priority sectors being advanced on a fast-track basis to drive innovation-led growth and economic modernization.

Addressing young participants at the event, the Prime Minister described them as talented entrepreneurs and professionals and said the government was actively investing in technical training and skills development programmes to empower Pakistan’s youth.

Beijing: 26 May 2026.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets Chinese business delegations.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a series of high-level meetings with leading Chinese enterprises, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic, industrial,… pic.twitter.com/bBA4GxLNkI

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 26, 2026

“Youth are the future of Pakistan, and Pakistan-China cooperation will be further strengthened through their close engagement,” he said.

Inviting Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan, he highlighted the Special Economic Zone near Port Qasim in Karachi, spanning over 6,000 acres, calling it a highly promising project equipped with modern infrastructure and business facilitation facilities.

Earlier, upon arrival at the IBI headquarters, the Prime Minister was received by Wang Shaofeng, Party Secretary of Fengtai District, Beijing, and Qian Xiaojun.

The ceremony, focused on cross-border industrial belt cooperation and promotion of China-Pakistan industrial collaboration, was attended by more than 150 companies and their representatives.