Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, as confirmed by Chinese state media, according to AFP. The meeting took place amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by several countries to formally end the Iran war.
The meeting was confirmed by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, and it followed earlier talks between Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the same day. As part of his visit, Sharif is also expected to attend events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, and he will visit Zhejiang Province.
Xi Reaffirms Support for Pakistan
According to a statement by Xinhua on May 21, the two leaders were expected to hold in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and issues of shared concern, charting the future direction of China-Pakistan relations amid evolving regional developments. During the meeting, Xi reaffirmed Beijing's strong backing for Pakistan, stating that China places high priority on its ties with Islamabad as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy, as per a Reuters pool report.
Xi Praises Pakistan's Middle East Mediation Efforts
During the meeting, Xi reportedly referred to Sharif as an “old friend” and described China-Pakistan ties as an “unbreakable traditional friendship.” He also appreciated Pakistan's “constructive” role in efforts to mediate peace in the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions. The meeting underscores the enduring partnership between the two nations and their shared interests in regional stability.
