Pakistan, China reach 'new broad consensus' on strengthening strategic partnership as PM concludes visit

Pakistan and China reached a “new broad consensus” on further deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, with both sides agreeing to “move faster to build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a shared future in the new era.” “The two sides engaged cordially and reached a new broad consensus on further deepening the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and on international and regional issues of mutual interest,” said a joint statement issued on Tuesday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his four-day official visit to China on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to the statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Shehbaz visited China from May 23 to May 26, "at the invitation of Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang." During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with the Prime Minister, while Premier Li Qiang held formal talks with him. The prime minister also attended the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and "paid a successful visit to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province." The joint statement described the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan as one "built and nurtured by successive generations of leaderships" and "an important wealth and a strategic asset of the two countries and two peoples." It noted that throughout 75 years of diplomatic relations, "this friendship has remained rock solid no matter how the international and regional situations evolved, and the two countries have always trusted, respected and supported each other and stood by each other in times of difficulties and challenges." Both sides said that "in a world undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has taken on an even more strategic importance and relevance." 🔊PR No.1️⃣2️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (May 26, 2026) 1/2 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tayBh0vT5Z — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 26, 2026 Both sides said they would move faster to build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a shared future in the new era, which "will set an example for the endeavour to build a community with a shared future that connects China and its neighbouring countries." It added that both sides were determined to unswervingly safeguard and develop their bilateral relations, maintain high-level exchanges, and make significant progress under the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025-2029). They committed to deepening mutual trust, practical cooperation, defence and security cooperation, and keeping "close coordination on international and regional issues, so as to better harness this relationship to the benefit of the two peoples and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world." Pakistan said it "attaches great importance to and supports the vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping." 🔊PR No.1️⃣2️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (May 26,2026) 2/2 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ALd8vE5B3O — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 26, 2026 Both sides "spoke highly of the visit by President Asif Ali Zardari, in late April and early May 2026 to the Chinese provinces of Hunan and Hainan, and the visit to China by Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq in January 2026." The statement said that both sides "welcomed the success of the seventh round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in January 2026 and the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and Meeting of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in May 2026." Middle East and Afghanistan issue According to a joint communique, China "appreciated Pakistan's efforts in facilitating the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran and holding the Islamabad Talks," while Pakistan "expressed support for the four propositions by President Xi Jinping on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East." "Both sides reiterated early implementation of the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region and expressed their readiness to jointly make positive contributions for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region," it added. On Afghanistan, both "spoke positively of the successful holding of the informal talks among China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China in April 2026" and welcomed the Chinese side to "provide a dialogue platform for communication between Pakistan and Afghanistan." The two parties agreed to "stay in close communication and coordination on the issue of Afghanistan" and stressed "the need not to allow any individual, group or party, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, to use the territories to harm and threaten regional security and interests, or conduct terrorist actions and activities." The two countries also agreed to "further strengthen strategic dialogue and enhance exchanges at various levels to continue deepening political mutual trust and jointly keep China-Pakistan relations in the right direction." According to the statement, Pak-China "reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests." They stressed that "the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge." One-China principle Pakistan "reaffirmed its strong commitment to the one-China principle, and holds the view that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests." Ministry said that Pakistan "firmly supports all efforts by China to achieve national reunification and resolutely opposes any form of 'Taiwan independence.'" Pakistan also "firmly supports China's just stance on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea." "China, in turn, reiterated its unwavering support for Pakistan in defending its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and firmly supports Pakistan's efforts to safeguard its national security, stability, development, and prosperity," it added. CPEC 2.0 The ministry said that on CPEC, both sides agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, hold the meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee, and promote the high-quality development of the upgraded version of CPEC 2.0," said the statement. The joint statement further added that both countries agreed to advance the Karakoram Highway Thakot-Raikot realignment project "in a phased and orderly manner" and to "leverage the potential of the Gwadar Port and build it into a regional connectivity hub." "Both sides will make good use of the Khunjerab Pass to strengthen land connectivity between China and Pakistan and welcome third parties to participate in the development of CPEC under the model agreed upon by China and Pakistan," the statement said. The statement said that both sides agreed to advance the development of industrial parks "in ways adapted to local conditions and create demonstration projects of industrial cooperation in areas including textiles and home appliances." Cooperation in various sectors Pak-China also "commended the success of the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum in January 2026" and agreed to "advance bilateral cooperation in mining and oil and gas exploration and development in an orderly manner." On agriculture, both sides "congratulated the successful completion of the training program for 1,000 young Pakistani agricultural technicians in China," with Pakistan expressing appreciation for the support of "Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan and Hainan Provinces of China." The ministry added that China agreed to "assist Pakistan to promote its agricultural production capacity through multiple means, encourage Chinese enterprises to conduct agricultural investment and cooperation in Pakistan, and facilitate the market access of more high-quality Pakistani agricultural products to China." "The two countries agreed to tap into the potential for cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, energy, digital economy, finance, scientific and technological innovation, artificial intelligence, information and communication, water conservancy, marine affairs, and to scale up personnel training, consult on advancing trade liberalisation, and jointly safeguard the stability and security of industrial and supply chains," it said. "Both sides also said they will carry out the implementation plans for educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation, as well as expand cooperation between sister provinces and cities," read the statement. In a significant development, China said it "welcomes two Pakistani astronauts to come to China for training and looks forward to a Pakistani astronaut becoming the first foreign astronaut for the early entrance into the China Space Station." Both sides said they "will continue to deepen space cooperation in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner." Pakistan expressed support for China's initiative of establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying it "represents a concrete step toward promoting the development of artificial intelligence for good and for all," and said it will work with China to "advance global governance and international cooperation on artificial intelligence." Enhance counter-terrorism cooperation The joint communique said that Pakistan committed to taking "targeted steps to strengthen security measures and cooperation to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan." China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan "in its continued and firm fight against terrorism." "Both called on the international community to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation and reaffirmed their firm opposition to applying double standards on counter-terrorism or to politicising and instrumentalising counter-terrorism," it said. The Chinese side said it stands ready to work with Pakistan to "fully implement the GSI, establish the China-Pakistan Security Partnership, conduct continued bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, and strengthen military-to-military cooperation, so as to further play a positive role in promoting regional peace and stability." Islamabad and Beijing agreed to "firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter" and to "jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive global economic order." Kashmir issue On Kashmir, the Pakistani side "briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir." The Chinese side "reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements." Both nations "reiterated opposition to any unilateral actions and reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, and resolving all outstanding disputes through dialogue and diplomacy." The two sides also "expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit" and reiterated "the significance of the maintenance of international and regional security and stability." China reaffirmed its commitment to "supporting Pakistan as the next rotating President of the SCO and leveraging Pakistan's term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2025 to 2026 to further strengthen coordination and collaboration in the multilateral context." The Chinese side also "commended Pakistan's various initiatives for strengthening multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes, and regional cooperation under its UN Security Council Presidency in July 2025." Before departing, PM Shehbaz gave an address during a special ceremony attended by senior Chinese leadership, including Vice President Han Zheng, members of the Pakistani delegation, and other dignitaries. The prime minister highlighted the historic depth and resilience of bilateral ties. 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 He said Pakistan should learn from China’s development journey, stating that the world “should learn from China’s enviable journey of overcoming development challenges, poverty, unemployment, diseases, and other obstacles.” Describing the relationship between the two countries, he said, “The roots of the tree of Pakistan-China friendship are very deep—it has weathered storms, provided shade, and borne very sweet fruits.” He added that both countries share responsibility to further strengthen the partnership for future generations, saying, “It is our shared responsibility to nurture its new branches so that future generations inherit a legacy of relations even stronger than our ancestors could have imagined.” 

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