Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with  Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif  at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Nov 2, 2022. (YAO DAWEI / XINHUA)

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif  in Beijing on Wednesday.

China has always viewed its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective and prioritized Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi told Sharif, who is on an official visit to China.

He said China appreciates Pakistan's firm will for friendly cooperation with China and appreciates its support on issues related to China's core and major concerns.

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China will firmly support Pakistan's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests and national dignity, said the Chinese leader.

Xi called on the two sides to advance the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with greater efficiency

China sympathizes with the Pakistani people who have suffered from the devastating floods and will provide additional emergency assistance to help Pakistan in post-disaster reconstruction, Xi said.

Xi briefed Sharif on the important outcomes of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He said China will continue to adhere to the basic state policy of opening-up and continue to provide new opportunities to Pakistan and other countries with China's new development.

He called on the two sides to advance the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with greater efficiency and welcomed Pakistan to expand its export of high-quality agricultural products to China.

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Sharif said it is a great honor to be one of the first foreign leaders invited to visit China after the landmark 20th CPC National Congress, which demonstrates the profound friendship between Pakistan and China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other officials at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Nov 2, 2022. (XIE HUANCHI / XINHUA)

Pakistan hopes to learn from China's successful state governance experience and deepen cooperation with China in various fields to advance its own development. This is the direction and only choice for Pakistan in the future, the prime minister said.

Pakistan will further strengthen security measures and spare no effort to protect the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan, Sharif said. 

Li holds talks with Sharif

Premier Li Keqiang also held talks with the Pakistani PM in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li spoke about the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and said China attaches great importance to relations with Pakistan.

On practical cooperation, he said China is willing to strengthen its synergy of development strategies with Pakistan, deepen cooperation in areas including ports, transportation, energy, industry and social livelihoods, and steadily push forward the construction of CPEC.

He urged Pakistan to make efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects in Pakistan.

Sharif said that consolidating and developing friendly relations with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy.