ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned to Pakistan on Tuesday after concluding a four-day visit to China, which saw Islamabad and Beijing reach a ‘new broad consensus’ on deepening their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, accelerating CPEC 2.0 and expanding collaboration in trade, technology, agriculture, security and regional diplomacy.
At the Beijing airport, the Prime Minister was seen off by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying.
A joint statement, issued by the Foreign Office following the conclusion of the visit, said the two sides had agreed to move faster towards building an ‘even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era’amid profound global changes.
It described bilateral ties as a ‘strategic asset’ that had remained ‘rock solid’ over 75 years of diplomatic relations regardless of regional and international developments.Both countries agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation and enhanee coordination on regional and global issues.
The two sides also pledged to expand cooperation in trade, energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, information technology, finance, science and technology, water management and marine affairs, while also promoting trade liberalisationand safeguarding industrial and supply chains.
The statement highlighted, in no uncertain terms, the convergence between Beijing and Islamabad on sensitive issues, such as the Kashmir dispute, the One-China principle, terrorism and trans-boundary water issues.
Core interests, defence ties The joint statement said Islamabad and Beijing reaffirmed unyieldingsupportforeach other on issues concerning their core interests, with Pal(istan reiterating its commitment to the OneChina principle. Islamabad also expressed support for Beijing’s positions on Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea, while opposing all forms of ‘Taiwan independence’ In return, China reaffirmed support for Pal(istan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
On Kashmir, the Chinese side reiterated that the dispute was ‘left over from history’ and should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Both sides opposed unilateral actions and stressed the need to maintain peace and stability in South Asia through dialogue and diplomacy.
According to the statement, the two sides also expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit, seemingly a reference to India’s water-based aggression after unilaterally placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
It is worth 1(eeping in mind that while India lies upstream of Pakistan in terms of the Indus basin, the Indus, Brahmaputra and Sutlej basins all have their origins in or around the Tibetan plateau, which is part of Chinese territory.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation and jointly combat terrorism. China said it was ready to work with Pal(istan to fully implement the Global Security Initiative and establish a China-Pal(istan Security Partnership. The statement emphasised continued bilateral and multilateral counterterrorism cooperation and enhanced military-to-military coordi-nation.
Pal(istan endorsed Chinese initiatives including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilisation Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, put forth by President Xi Jinping.
Both countries opposed ‘double standards’ in counterterrorism and warned against politicising the issue. Pakistan also welcomed China’s facilitation of informal talks involving Afghanistan, while Beijing reiterated support for Pal(istan’s ‘continued and firm fight against terrorism’ The Pal(istani side also committed to taking targeted steps to strengthen security measures and cooperation to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.
The Middle East situation also figured in the discussions. Pal(istan supported proposals put forward by President Xi for regional peace and stability, while China appreciated Pal(istan’s role in facilitating a ceasefire between the US and Iran andhostingtheIslamabad Talks.
Both neighbours also agreed to boost cooperation on artificial intelligence and global AI governance, with Pakistan bacl(ing China’s proposal for establishing the World AI Cooperation Organisation. Besides, China reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s upcoming role as rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and its tenure as anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Reaffirming support for the international order centred on the UN, both sides opposed attempts to revive ‘fascism and militarism’ and supported a ‘multipolar world’ and an inclusive global economic order.
PM hails ‘finest hour’ of friendship Earlier, PM Shehbaz addressed a ceremony in Beijing marl(ing the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Describing the current status of bilateral ties as the ‘finest hour’ of friendship, the PM said, ‘These relations were carved out with great commitment, devotion and dedication by the great leaders of China and Pakistan.
The two countries were ‘lil(e two souls and one heart’, he said, while praising China’s rise as a global economic power and credited its success to hard worl(, consistency and visionary leadership.
He lauded President Xi Jinping for lifting millions out of poverty and promoting peace and diplomacy despite China’s growing economic and military strength.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the occasion reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Pal(istan and described the two countries as ‘good friends connected by geography and a shared future’ CPEC 2.0 The joint statement underlined both countries’ commitment to high-quality Belt andRoad cooperation and the upgraded phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).
Both sides agreed to convene the meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) and advance several connectivity and infrastructure projects, including the Karal(oram Highway (KKH) (ThakotRaikot route)realignment project. The two sides agreed to ‘leverage the potential of the Gwadar Port and build it into a regional connectivity hub’ Industrial cooperation featured prominently in the talks, with both sides agreeing to promote industrial parks and cooperation in textiles, home appliances and manufacturing.
China also agreed to assist Pal(istan in boosting agricultural productivity, encourage investment by Chinese enterprises in Pakistan’s agriculture sector and facilitate greater access for Pal(istani agricultural products to Chinesemarl(ets.
Earlier, at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), PM Shehbazproposedthatthe academy play a leading role in revitalising Pal(istan’s agricultural research institutions and modernising farming practices.
He announced that 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates would be sent to Chinese universities for advanced training in modern agricultural sciences and technologies.
He noted agriculture would remain a priority area under CPEC 2.0 and called for transformationof Pakistan’s farming sector through research and innovation.
Separately, the premier held meetings with major Chinese firms, including FAMSUN, Shandong Xinxu Group Corporation, China Communications Construction Corporationand China Road and Bridge Corporation.
He invited Chinese companies to expand investment in Pakistan in areas such as grain storage, food security, manufacturing, logistics, mineral development and infrastructure.