Group photo of Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress Cai Dafeng with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of the delegation in Islamabad on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Photo: X/ PMO
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s full support for China’s core interests and reaffirmed the country’s firm determination to ensure the success of the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The event occurred during a meeting with a high-level Chinese delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Cai Dafeng.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the delegation is visiting Pakistan to participate in the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
Welcoming the Chinese dignitary on the occasion, the prime minister recalled the “historic and proven all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two countries.
“Over the last seventy-five years, Pakistan and China have established a unique bond of friendship, anchored in mutual trust and strategic convergence on issues of bilateral and regional importance,” he said.
ISLAMABAD: May 20, 2026.
Call to the Prime Minister by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Cai Dafeng.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a high-level Chinese delegation, led by HE Mr. Cai Dafeng, Vice… pic.twitter.com/f2LbtOKY2v
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 20, 2026
The prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Chinese people on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, while reiterating Pakistan’s full support for China’s core interests and expressing appreciation for China’s continued support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lauding the role of CPEC as a game changer for Pakistan’s socio-economic development, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to ensure the success of the next phase of CPEC, with a focus on agriculture, information technology, industry and mining sector.
The prime minister said he was “very much looking forward” to his next official visit to China, scheduled for May 23-26.
On the regional situation, the statement said the prime minister appreciates China’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in South Asia and the Middle East, and reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to regional harmony and multilateral cooperation.
Dafeng thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and reciprocated greetings on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“China will continue to support Pakistan and continue its close cooperation with Pakistan to build a China-Pakistan community with a shared future,” he said, expressing Chinese leaders’ commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.
He added that China fully supports Pakistan’s role in the ongoing regional peace efforts and will continue to play its role in maintaining global peace and stability.
Both sides underlined the uniqueness of the ironclad brotherhood between Pakistan and China as a vital pillar of peace, development and stability in the region.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Planning and Special Initiatives Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Minister Ambassador Amna Baloch attended the meeting, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
