Chinese president hails 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties, praises Iran peace efforts

President Xi Jinping hailed China's "unbreakable" friendship ​with Pakistan ⁠on Monday as he met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Beijing, ‌seeking to deepen their "all-weather" partnership.

Xi welcomed ‌the Pakistani leader as an "old friend" at Beijing's Great Hall of the People and said the two countries had "understood, trusted and supported each other" over decades.

Pakistan is among an exclusive ‌group of countries which China regards as an "all-weather strategic partner," spanning close economic, trade and security ⁠cooperation.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China always prioritises the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighbourhood diplomacy," Xi said.

Xi Jinping, centre left, and Shahbaz Sharif, centre right, attend at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Monday. AP

China called for enhancing cooperation in agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence ​and talent cultivation with Pakistan, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.

Beijing was willing to work ‌with Islamabad to build a closer-knit China-Pakistan community with a shared future, CCTV reported, adding that the Chinese leader emphasised maintaining high-level exchanges and strengthening strategic communication.
Sharif, in turn, called ⁠China and Pakistan two "iron brother" countries with a relationship that is "next to none."

PAKISTAN'S 'CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE'

Shahbaz was accompanied by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was recently in Tehran for meetings with Iran's leadership.

After ​a rickety ‌ceasefire in the Iran conflict, achieved in April, Pakistan hosted mediation talks between Washington ‌and Tehran, relaying proposals and missives between them. Weeks into Islamabad's diplomatic efforts, Washington has reported progress in negotiations with Tehran.

Field Marshal Asim Munir attends a meeting between Xi Jinping and Shahbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Reuters

"I know that you have just returned from Iran and made positive efforts for ‌the current peace. ‌We still appreciate the constructive role played by ⁠Pakistan," Xi said.

Both countries should carry out higher-level and broader security cooperation ‌to help regional peace and stability, CCTV cited Xi as saying, without referring to a specific conflict.

For Pakistan, engaging China in its mediation efforts ⁠is important given Beijing and Tehran's close ties. China and Pakistan issued an ​initiative in March as their foreign ministers met in Beijing, calling for peace talks and restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Shahbaz kicked off his four-day official visit to China in Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province on Saturday.

Speaking to Chinese leaders in Beijing alongside Munir, Shahbaz said "the world is passing through a critical moment," Pakistan television showed.

Shahbaz Sharif (C) arrives for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. AP

"Pakistan has played a sincere role to mediate between US and Iran. Field marshal was in Tehran and did not want to miss this great visit," the images carried by Pakistan state channel PTV showed.

"Things are moving in the right direction. I would like to thank China's support to promote peace."

Pakistan hosted in April the only direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials to take place since the war began.

Munir was at the centre of the action during that round of talks, greeting both delegations on their arrival and displaying bonhomie with US Vice President JD Vance. But the talks ultimately failed, with Iran accusing the United States of making "excessive demands."

Reuters