A senior Chinese Communist Party (CPC) official held a series of high-level meetings with Pakistan's civil and military leadership on Monday, engaging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on strengthening bilateral ties and regional and international developments.
Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), arrived in Pakistan on November 1 for his first official visit to the country, the Foreign Office said. In his meeting with the prime minister, Liu discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, with Shehbaz underscoring the need for sustained political engagement and stronger party-to-party exchanges to further consolidate relations between the two countries.
Welcoming Liu and his delegation, the premier reaffirmed that Pakistan and China enjoyed an iron-clad, time-tested and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. He said the friendship between the two countries was anchored in mutual trust, respect and deep-rooted bonds between their peoples.
Shehbaz appreciated the IDCPC's role in fostering institutional linkages and promoting cooperation between the two countries' political leadership. He also highlighted their shared focus on advancing cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, infrastructure development, information technology and agricultural modernisation.
Liu conveyed the greetings of the Chinese leadership and reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to further deepening its longstanding friendship with Pakistan. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums.
The prime minister also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting minister and his delegation. Separately, Liu called on the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and international security dynamics and bilateral relations. They expressed their shared resolve to further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.
Field Marshal Munir highlighted the historic and time-tested bonds between the two countries and emphasised the importance of sustained high-level engagement, stronger institutional linkages and expanded cooperation across areas of mutual interest. The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan's contributions to regional peace and stability and expressed confidence in further advancing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
In another meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its strategic partnership with China. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges, while resolving to maintain close coordination and carry forward the positive momentum in bilateral relations.
Liu also conveyed greetings from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which Dar warmly reciprocated. The deputy prime minister also conveyed warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping on behalf of Pakistan's leadership.
The visit is part of ongoing high-level and party-to-party exchanges between the two nations.