ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a series of high-level meetings in Islamabad, where a senior Chinese Communist Party official held talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited Pakistan from November 1 to 3, 2026, for his first official visit to the country.
During his meeting with Liu on November 2, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of continued political engagement and party-to-party exchanges to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shehbaz described Pakistan-China relations as an “ironclad, time-tested and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”.
He said the friendship between the two countries was built on mutual trust, respect and strong ties between their people.
The prime minister also highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, regional connectivity, information technology and agricultural modernisation.
Both sides discussed regional and international developments and agreed to maintain close coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums.
Liu conveyed the greetings of the Chinese leadership and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding relationship with Pakistan. He also appreciated the progress in high-level diplomatic engagement and political exchanges between the two countries.
The prime minister hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting Chinese official and his delegation.
Field Marshal Asim Munir discusses regional security with Chinese official
During a separate meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed regional and international security developments and bilateral relations with Liu Haixing.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest and expressed their resolve to strengthen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Field Marshal Munir highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries and emphasised the need for sustained high-level engagement, stronger institutional links and expanded cooperation.
Liu appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability and expressed confidence in further advancing bilateral relations, the military’s media wing said.
Ishaq Dar calls for stronger people-to-people ties
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met the Chinese delegation in Islamabad.
According to the Foreign Office, Liu conveyed greetings from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which Dar warmly reciprocated.
Dar also conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping on behalf of Pakistan’s leadership.
Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the foreign minister discussed ways to expand cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with the visiting official.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and build on the positive momentum in bilateral relations.
Recent initiatives give fresh momentum to Pakistan-China relations
Liu’s visit comes amid renewed efforts by Islamabad and Beijing to expand cooperation beyond traditional infrastructure and energy projects.
On October 29, Pakistan and China signed an agreement to establish a Green Channel at the Sost-Khunjerab border crossing for agricultural and allied products.
The arrangement will provide priority customs processing for eligible consignments, particularly perishable goods, while allowing both countries to maintain risk-based inspections. It also includes improved information-sharing between their customs administrations to facilitate cross-border trade.
The development is expected to improve the movement of agricultural products between Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang region.
Earlier, on October 26, the two countries formally launched the China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC) in Islamabad.
The initiative focuses on four areas: media cooperation, business and enterprises, think tanks, and culture, tourism and youth exchanges.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the initiative would promote information-sharing, strengthen media cooperation and improve public understanding between the two countries.
The media component also aims to facilitate the exchange of verified information and address misinformation through cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese media organisations.
Pakistan and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1951, with cooperation expanding over the decades into defence, trade, energy, infrastructure, technology and regional connectivity.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, remains central to their economic partnership.
The latest diplomatic engagements reflect both countries’ efforts to maintain close political coordination while exploring new opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation.
