(May 25): Chinese leader Xi Jinping thanked visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s work in mediating talks between the US and Iran — underscoring Beijing’s push to end a war that poses a slew of risks to the world’s second-biggest economy.
“We appreciate the constructive role played by Pakistan, and I am willing to extend my warm greetings to the Pakistani people through Prime Minister Sharif,” Xi said when the two sides met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.
Xi also singled out Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who has played a central role in the peace talks and was also in Beijing. “I know that you have just returned from Iran and made positive efforts for the current peace,” the Chinese leader said.
Xi indicated that ending the war that has led to the biggest energy crisis in decades was a top priority when Vladimir Putin visited Beijing last week, saying that restarting the fighting was “unacceptable”. The war presents challenges for China’s economy, pushing up shipping costs, hurting demand abroad and briefly causing an outflow of cash.
Pakistan has been the main go-between for the US and Iran — mostly because of its working relationship with Washington and historical links with its neighbour. China has encouraged that diplomatic activity, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier commending Pakistan and pledging Beijing’s support.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Friday that his nation and China have maintained close coordination over the Iran war, adding that the peace process is very important to Islamabad.
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Sharif started his visit over the weekend in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, which serves as China’s hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development. Sharif visited the headquarters of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and met executives including co-founder Joe Tsai, Sharif’s office said in a post on X on Sunday.
The two sides signed a framework to speed up Pakistan’s progress in areas such as AI, e-trade and healthcare innovation.
Sharif said in a meeting with Premier Li Qiang on Monday that Islamabad’s partnership with China remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, according to a statement from Sharif’s office.
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The trip by the senior Pakistani officials marks the 75th anniversary of what Beijing and Islamabad call an ironclad friendship. Pakistan is also a key partner of Xi’s signature Belt and Road Initiative.
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