PM Sharif meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing

BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Monday as part of his official visit to China, with both sides discussing bilateral cooperation and economic ties.

Upon arrival at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Sharif was received by his Chinese counterpart and presented with a guard of honour. He later inspected the guard of honour alongside Premier Li Qiang.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is accompanying the prime minister during the visit.

The prime minister also attended a reception hosted in his honour by the Chinese leadership.

Sharif and Li held delegation-level talks, during which both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in multiple sectors.

The two leaders also attended a ceremony for the exchange of memorandums of understanding and agreements between Pakistan and China.

Prime Minister Sharif, addressing delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li, thanked the Chinese side for its “very warm invitation” to visit China.

“It is always a great pleasure to visit your great country, and each time we come, we find new changes and major developments taking place all over this wonderful country,” he said.

PM Sharif said that Pakistan and China had always stood by each other during challenging times.

The prime minister congratulated China on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“During challenges, difficult circumstances and crises, China has always supported Pakistan,” he said, adding that every visit to China reflected “new construction and development” across the country.

He said the world was currently facing a difficult situation and expressed hope that peace would be restored permanently.

Sharif thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting Pakistan’s efforts for a ceasefire and said Islamabad endorsed Xi’s four-point agenda for promoting peace.

He noted that there was ongoing crisis in Gulf countries and said Pakistan’s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had played an important role in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States.

“The situation has seen significant progress and matters are moving in the right direction,” he added.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played an important role in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States.

The prime minister said there had been “significant progress” on efforts related to peace-building and that matters were moving in the right direction.

He said that Field Marshal Munir did not want to miss the China visit, noting that he travelled overnight and attended the meeting despite a demanding schedule.

Sharif further said the Field Marshal had recently returned from Tehran and had remained engaged in regional diplomatic contacts.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Pakistan had played a positive role in promoting regional peace and stability, adding that Beijing was ready to hold discussions with Islamabad on matters of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior officials are accompanying the prime minister on the visit.

During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square.

He is also expected to meet leading Chinese investors and chief executive officers of major Chinese companies.

Sharif, along with senior Chinese leadership, will attend a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.