PM Shehbaz, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC, economic ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Chinese Ambassador H.E. Jiang Zaidong at the prime minister’s House to discuss Pakistan’s economic ties with China and ongoing bilateral projects. According to the press release, the prime minister extended his congratulations to the Chinese leadership on the successful conclusion of the “Two Sessions,” thanking President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for their warm greetings on Pakistan Day. The PM emphasised Pakistan's ongoing commitment to furthering China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, with a particular focus on agriculture, industrial cooperation, and key infrastructure projects. Ambassador Jiang expressed China’s appreciation for Pakistan’s resilience and reform efforts, offering continued support in trade and investment. Both sides acknowledged progress in strengthening bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction with ongoing exchanges. They also looked forward to marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with high-level engagements. In addition, the statement said that PM Sharif highlighted Pakistan's role in promoting de-escalation and regional stability. Read: Strait of Hormuz situation ‘will not return to the past,’ Iran says amid escalating Mideast tensions He reaffirmed the enduring Pakistan-China "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and the importance of continued close coordination on issues of mutual interest. The discussions reinforced the strong economic relationship between Pakistan and China, underscoring their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors. The meeting also included Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, and the Foreign Secretary.