Chinese Premier Welcomes PM Shehbaz Sharif With Guard of Honor in Beijing
Beijing – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a warm and official welcome from Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Chinese armed forces presented a guard of honor during a formal reception ceremony.
Upon arriving at the venue for bilateral talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly greeted by Premier Li Qiang. The two leaders exchanged a cordial handshake and expressed goodwill before the national anthems of Pakistan and China were played.
Both prime ministers later introduced members of their respective delegations ahead of high-level discussions.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Chinese leadership for the warm invitation and hospitality, saying that every visit to China brings an opportunity to witness remarkable development and modernization.
The Prime Minister also expressed condolences over the recent coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi province, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. He said Pakistan stands in solidarity with the affected families and the people of China during this difficult time.
Highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, built on the vision of their founding leaders.
The Prime Minister informed the Chinese side that Pakistan had played a sincere diplomatic role in facilitating communication between Iran and the United States. He said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had engaged with regional leadership to support peace efforts in the Gulf region.
Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan and China continue to strengthen bilateral ties despite global challenges and regional tensions. He added that Pakistan appreciates China’s support for peace initiatives and ceasefire efforts in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s four-point peace agenda and welcomed the five-point ceasefire proposal jointly discussed by diplomatic officials from both countries.
According to officials, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold further meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese leadership during his visit. Delegation-level talks, investment meetings, and the signing of several memorandums of understanding are also expected.
The Prime Minister will additionally visit Tiananmen Square to lay a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes and attend ceremonies marking 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.