ISLAMABAD/BEIJING
China has said Jammu and Kashmir is historical dispute which should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements
As per the joint statement issued after Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif concluded his four-day visit to China, Pakistan and China have agreed on further strengthening strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China. Visit was undertaken at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
According to Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Prime Minister Shehbaz met Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Premier Li Qiang held formal talks with the premier. The two sides held extensive discussions on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.
The PM also attended events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and visited Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.
The two countries reiterated their resolve to further expand the bilateral ties.
Both countries have agreed to promote “high-quality development” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 and welcome the participation of third parties in its development. Pakistan expressed full support on one-China principle, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and reiterating opposition to any form of “Taiwan independence”.
China reiterated its un wavering support for the sovereignty and security of Pakistan.
Pakistan assured China that it would take targeted steps to further strengthen security arrangements for Chinese nationals, projects and institutions operating in the country. China expressed support for Pakistan’s continued fight against terrorism. Both sides called on the international community to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation and opposed the use of double standards or politicisation of counter-terrorism efforts.
The two countries also stressed that no group, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, should be allowed to use any territory to threaten regional peace and security.
China also reaffirmed support for Pakistan as the next rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. China appreciated Pakistan’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.
China congratulated Pakistan on achieving macroeconomic stability under the URAAN Pakistan economic transformation plan, while Pakistan congratulated China on the successful implementation of its 14th Five-Year Plan and launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan.
The two countries agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and accelerate development under the upgraded CPEC 2.0 framework.
They agreed to convene a meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee and promote projects including the phased realignment of the Karakoram Highway between Thakot and Raikot.
Both sides also agreed to enhance the role of Gwadar Port as a regional connectivity hub and utilise the Khunjerab Pass to strengthen land connectivity between the two countries.
The statement added that third parties would be welcome to participate in CPEC projects under mutually agreed arrangements.
Pakistan also supported China’s proposal to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation and agreed to work with Beijing on global governance related to artificial intelligence.
Both sides appreciated recent high-level exchanges between the two countries, including President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China earlier this year and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s January 2026 visit.
They also welcomed the successful holding of the seventh China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue and meetings related to political party cooperation under CPEC.
The two sides also positively reviewed the informal trilateral talks among China, Pakistan and Afghanistan held in Urumqi in April this year and agreed to remain in close communication regarding Afghanistan.
Pakistan efforts for promotion of peace in Middle East, ceasefire between US and Iran and Islamabad talks were appreciated.
Both the countries agreed on remaining in close contact with each other on the matter of Afghanistan.
