Sharif holds talks with Chinese premier as both sides reaffirm commitment to regional peace, bilateral cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. SCREEN GRAB
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Pakistan had played a “very sincere role” in efforts to mediate between the US and Iran as he held high-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing focusing on regional stability, bilateral cooperation and deepening of strategic ties.
During the meeting in the Great Hall of the People, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to protect common interests and promote peace amid rising tensions in the Gulf.
Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in China on Saturday on a four-day official visit, reaching Beijing after a stopover in Hangzhou.
Referring to the ongoing regional crisis, the prime minister said the world was going through “a very critical moment” and stressed the need for collective efforts to restore stability. “We really need to be together so that the world as a whole is at peace,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that Pakistan remained actively engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at US-Iran de-escalation. He said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had just returned from Tehran after consultations with Iranian officials and left overnight to attend the Beijing engagements.
The Prime Minister added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also been in touch with relevant regional stakeholders to support peace efforts. “We pray to Allah Almighty that peace will be restored. A lot of ground has been covered and things are moving in the right direction,” he said.
He warned that the crisis had affected both regional and global economies, especially oil importing countries like Pakistan. “Pakistan, being a net importer of oil and oil products, has also felt the economic impact,” he said.
براِ راست: Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met with the Chinese counterpart of the People’s Arrival
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) 25 May 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz also thanked the Chinese leadership for supporting peace and ceasefire efforts and acknowledged Beijing’s endorsement of President Xi Jinping’s four-point agenda and five-point support program following consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministers.
Calling the visit “always a great pleasure”, the Prime Minister thanked the Chinese leadership for its warm hospitality.
“Dear brother and friend, thank you very much for the very warm invitation to visit China,” he said. “Every time we come, we see new changes and big developments.”
Beginning his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed condolences over Friday’s gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province, which killed 82 people.
“I express my deepest condolences on the tragic gas explosion in a coal mine,” he said while conveying solidarity with the affected families.
Referring to bilateral ties, the prime minister said Pakistan and China were celebrating “75 years of our glorious friendship and diplomatic relations”, adding that the relationship established by the founding fathers of both countries had laid “a strong foundation” which continued to grow stronger.
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Earlier, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said both countries have “maintained close communication and coordination, safeguarded common interests and added positive energy to regional peace”.
He added that China was ready to work with Pakistan for “greater solidarity, traditional friendship, firmly support each other and continue to expand practical cooperation to deliver more results in building a society with a shared future for the two countries.”
Arriving at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Shehbaz was accorded a guard of honour. The national anthems of Pakistan and China were played while both leaders stood at the salute and introduced their delegations.
Field Marshal Asim Munir was also present at the event after completing his visit to Iran.
The two sides are expected to witness the exchange of memorandums of understanding and agreements during the visit. Prime Minister Shehbaz is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later today and participate in events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
