Chinese premier meets Pakistani PM

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday met here with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025, as well as commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Li said that China is ready to work with Pakistan to actively build an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), advance major connectivity projects such as ports, highways, and railways, and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

China is willing to import more high-quality products from Pakistan and welcomes Pakistan to leverage platforms like the China International Import Expo, Li said.

China stands ready to assist Pakistan in enhancing its counterterrorism capabilities and hopes both sides will jointly ensure the security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, said Li.

Sharif said that Pakistan adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China's positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xizang, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

Pakistan looks forward to accelerating the construction of key connectivity projects, Sharif said.

Pakistan will continue to resolutely combat all forms of terrorism and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with China to uphold regional peace and stability as well as international fairness and justice, Sharif said.

During Sharif's visit, the two sides signed multiple cooperation documents covering fields including CPEC, economy and trade, artificial intelligence, science and technology, agriculture, cultural heritage protection, judiciary, and people's livelihoods.

They also jointly issued a 2025-2029 action plan to foster an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.