ISLAMABAD — China has pledged to deepen its partnership with Pakistan, with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong outlining a five-point roadmap aimed at strengthening political trust, boosting trade, enhancing security cooperation, and building closer people-to-people connections.
The statement came shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China from August 30 to September 4, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) 25th heads-of-state meeting and events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During the visit, Shehbaz held talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, with discussions focusing on bilateral ties as well as wider regional and global issues.
At the conclusion of the trip, both sides released the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025–2029). Ambassador Jiang described the document as “a general guideline and roadmap” for advancing the all-weather partnership between the two countries in the years ahead.
“Ironclad Friendship”
Underscoring the political foundation of the relationship, Jiang quoted President Xi, who said that China and Pakistan share “a resilient, brotherly bond built on trust and common values — an ironclad friendship forged through history and strengthened over time.”
He noted that Shehbaz, in his meetings, had stressed how the Pakistan-China relationship “is deeply rooted in the hearts of over 200 million Pakistanis, and no force can shake this unbreakable bond.”
High-Level Engagements and Economic Cooperation
Jiang highlighted a string of high-level visits in recent months including Shehbaz’s trip in June, former Premier Li Qiang’s visit last October, and President Asif Ali Zardari’s trip in February which, he said, had allowed the two countries to reach “important common understandings” on pushing forward their strategic cooperation.
On the economic front, Jiang said China would continue to back Pakistan’s development agenda. Quoting Xi, he said Beijing supports Islamabad in “maintaining unity, focusing on growth, and strengthening national resilience.” He also reaffirmed China’s readiness to build CPEC 2.0 and upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement.
Key milestones this year, according to Jiang, include the launch of the New Gwadar International Airport, the operation of a China-donated seawater desalination plant, new production lines at the Rashakai Special Economic Zone, and the launch of Pakistan’s PRSS-1 satellite from Chinese soil. Pakistani exports such as beef, seafood, and fruit are also beginning to gain a stronger foothold in Chinese markets, he added.
