PM Shehbaz, President Xi agree to upgrade CPEC, advance development in second phase – M Haris

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a productive meeting on Friday, reaffirming their commitment to the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the timely completion of ongoing projects. They also agreed on upgrading CPEC and advancing its second phase.

The prime minister briefed President Xi on Pakistan’s policies for economic reform, industrial development, agricultural modernisation, and regional connectivity. He emphasised the critical role CPEC plays in Pakistan’s development, asserting Pakistan’s commitment to fostering synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination.

The meeting took place at the historic Great Hall of the People, with both leaders accompanied by federal ministers and senior officials. This was PM Shehbaz’s first meeting with President Xi since assuming office in 2024. The encounter was marked by traditional warmth, reflective of the strong friendship and close strategic ties between the two nations.

The prime minister thanked President Xi for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation. He recalled President Xi’s historic visit to Pakistan in 2015, which marked the formal operationalisation of CPEC, ushering in a new chapter in bilateral relations.

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The leaders reaffirmed the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and expressed their resolve to deepen cooperation across diverse domains, including political, security, economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. They also discussed regional and global developments, including the situations in Afghanistan, Palestine, and South Asia, particularly the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Both sides reiterated their longstanding support for each other’s core interests.

Commending President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted CPEC’s significant contributions to Pakistan’s socio-economic development as the flagship project of BRI. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

The prime minister also noted that Pakistan’s agenda for people-centric socio-economic development aligns with China’s concept of ‘shared prosperity.’

President Xi Jinping hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz, during which another round of discussions on matters of mutual interest took place.