Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to China Partnership
Shehbaz Sharif highlights CPEC 2.0, trade and wider bilateral cooperation
Key Developments:
- PM Shehbaz vows to deepen Pakistan-China cooperation
- CPEC 2.0 to focus on industry, IT, agriculture and mining
- China outlines new education and livelihood initiatives
ISLAMABAD (Radio Pakistan) — October 01, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Islamabad's intention to expand cooperation with China, with economic development, CPEC 2.0, agriculture, technology and regional coordination featuring prominently in discussions between the two sides.
Speaking at a reception in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan's relationship with China had developed over decades and remained an important element of the country's foreign policy. He also congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
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Shehbaz Sharif said the two countries were also marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. He described the bilateral relationship as an “anchor” of Pakistan's foreign policy and reaffirmed Islamabad's intention to implement understandings reached by the leadership of both countries.
The prime minister identified the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a major area for future cooperation. According to his remarks, CPEC 2.0 is expected to place greater emphasis on industrial development, special economic zones, information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture and mineral resources.
Pakistan's agricultural cooperation with China was also highlighted. Shehbaz Sharif said 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates had completed training in China, while another group of 1,000 graduates was preparing to undertake similar training.
The prime minister also referred to his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said discussions between the two leaders had reinforced their countries' existing cooperation. Pakistan and China had already agreed during the prime minister's China visit to pursue further cooperation in areas including CPEC, agriculture, IT and investment.
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Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan supports China's four initiatives covering development, security, civilisation and global governance, while stressing continued cooperation between the two countries.
He also described the longstanding relationship as an “iron-clad friendship” and said Islamabad wanted to work with Beijing towards what both governments describe as a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said Beijing viewed the two countries as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad brothers.”
The ambassador pointed to recent growth in bilateral economic activity, saying trade between Pakistan and China had reached $16.44 billion during the period cited in his remarks. He also highlighted increased agricultural trade and China's position as a major source of foreign investment in Pakistan.
Jiang said China was prepared to expand cooperation with Pakistan in industry, agriculture and mining while supporting the development of CPEC 2.0 and an upgraded China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
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Beijing also outlined several proposed livelihood-focused projects in Balochistan. These include the construction of 100 clean-water stations, improvements to 1,000 smart classrooms and the distribution of 100,000 school kits, according to the ambassador's remarks.
The Chinese side also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in health, education and climate-related areas, alongside exchanges involving universities, research institutions, young people and women.
Defence, security and counter-terrorism cooperation were also identified as areas for continued engagement. The ambassador said China would maintain coordination with Pakistan on these issues as well as on matters concerning developing countries.
The Prime Minister extended felicitations to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the occasion and said that the celebration of China's Founding Day is always close to the hearts of the Pakistani people. CREDIT: Radio Pakistan.
The emphasis on CPEC 2.0 follows a broader bilateral agenda agreed during the prime minister's visit to China, where both governments said they would deepen practical cooperation and implement new agreements across multiple sectors.
The reception was attended by senior Pakistani officials, members of the diplomatic corps and Chinese diplomatic representatives. The programme concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.
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