By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - China and Pakistan have pledged to significantly deepen their strategic partnership, expand economic and security cooperation, and strengthen coordination on regional and global issues following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s four-day official visit to China.

In a wide-ranging joint statement issued Tuesday at the end of the visit, the two countries reaffirmed their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and outlined an ambitious roadmap covering infrastructure, trade, defense, counterterrorism, artificial intelligence, agriculture, energy, regional diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

Sharif visited China from May 23 to May 26 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the trip, he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li, while also attending celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The statement underscored that Beijing and Islamabad view their relationship as a long-term strategic asset that has remained “rock solid” despite changing global conditions. Both governments said they would accelerate efforts to build what they described as an even closer “China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.”

The agreement reflects China’s growing emphasis on strengthening regional alliances amid rising geopolitical tensions, while Pakistan continues seeking foreign investment and diplomatic backing as it navigates economic reforms and regional security challenges.

Strong Political Support and Strategic Alignment

The two sides reaffirmed support for each other on what they called “core interests.”

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the “One China” policy, describing Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and opposing any form of Taiwanese independence. Islamabad also backed Beijing’s positions on Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and the South China Sea.

In return, China reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, and pledged continued backing for Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and maintain domestic stability.

The statement also emphasized support for China’s major global initiatives proposed by Xi Jinping, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative.

The two governments agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges and deepen strategic dialogue through political, parliamentary and diplomatic channels. They praised a series of recent bilateral engagements, including visits by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to China earlier this year.

CPEC 2.0 and Economic Expansion

Economic cooperation remained at the center of the talks, with both countries agreeing to accelerate development under the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, widely known as CPEC 2.0.

The two sides pledged to convene the Joint Cooperation Committee overseeing CPEC projects and push forward with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Major infrastructure priorities highlighted in the statement included the phased realignment of the Karakoram Highway between Thakot and Raikot, expansion of connectivity through the Khunjerab Pass and the transformation of Gwadar Port into a regional trade and connectivity hub.

China and Pakistan also welcomed the participation of third countries in selected CPEC projects under mutually agreed frameworks.

Officials agreed to establish industrial cooperation projects in sectors including textiles and home appliances, while also expanding mining, oil and gas cooperation following the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum held earlier this year.

The statement reflected Pakistan’s broader effort to attract Chinese investment into manufacturing, industrial zones and energy infrastructure as Islamabad seeks sustainable economic growth under its URAAN Pakistan economic transformation plan.

Agriculture, Technology and Space Cooperation

Agricultural cooperation featured prominently in the agreement, with both sides praising the completion of a Chinese training program for 1,000 young Pakistani agricultural technicians.

China agreed to continue assisting Pakistan in boosting agricultural productivity, facilitating Chinese investment in Pakistan’s farming sector and increasing market access for Pakistani agricultural products in China.

The two countries also pledged to expand collaboration in emerging technologies and digital sectors, including artificial intelligence, information technology, communications, finance, water management and scientific innovation.

Pakistan formally endorsed China’s proposal to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization aimed at promoting global AI governance and international coordination.

One of the most symbolic announcements in the statement involved space cooperation. China confirmed that two Pakistani astronauts would travel to China for training, while expressing hope that a Pakistani astronaut could become the first foreign national to participate in an early mission to the Chinese space station.

The agreement marked a major step in bilateral scientific cooperation and highlighted Beijing’s growing willingness to include strategic partners in its space ambitions.

Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation

Security cooperation formed another major pillar of the joint statement.

China said it was ready to work with Pakistan to establish a formal China-Pakistan Security Partnership under the framework of Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative.

The two sides pledged to deepen military-to-military ties, enhance intelligence sharing and continue bilateral and multilateral counterterrorism cooperation.

Pakistan assured China that it would strengthen security measures to protect Chinese nationals, institutions and projects operating inside Pakistan. The issue remains highly sensitive following repeated militant attacks targeting Chinese workers and CPEC-linked infrastructure projects in recent years.

Both countries also called on the international community to avoid what they described as “double standards” in counterterrorism policies.

The statement specifically mentioned the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, stressing that no group should be allowed to use Afghan territory to threaten regional security.

Attacks have increased in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in recent years, with Islamabad frequently accusing militant groups of operating from bases inside Afghanistan. Afghan Taliban authorities have repeatedly denied those accusations.

Afghanistan and Regional Diplomacy

China and Pakistan also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and agreed to maintain close coordination on regional stability.

Pakistan welcomed China’s role in facilitating informal talks among China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held in Urumqi earlier this year. Both sides stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing regional security concerns linked to Afghanistan.

On South Asia, the two countries reiterated opposition to unilateral actions and emphasized resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

Pakistan briefed China on the latest developments regarding Jammu and Kashmir, while Beijing repeated its longstanding position that the issue should be resolved peacefully in line with United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements.

Middle East Diplomacy and Global Issues

The joint statement also reflected growing coordination between Beijing and Islamabad on Middle East diplomacy.

Pakistan expressed support for Xi Jinping’s proposals regarding peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East. China, in turn, praised Pakistan’s role in helping facilitate a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran and supporting recent diplomatic efforts known as the Islamabad Talks.

The two countries pledged to work together for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

On broader international issues, China and Pakistan emphasized support for the United Nations-centered international system and called for what they described as a more equal and multipolar world order.

They also reaffirmed support for the post-World War II international framework and opposed attempts to revive militarism or fascism.

China additionally expressed support for Pakistan’s upcoming role as rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and praised Islamabad’s initiatives during its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Expanding People-to-People Ties

Beyond strategic and economic cooperation, both sides emphasized cultural, educational and provincial-level exchanges.

China pledged to continue offering 3,000 training opportunities to Pakistan between 2025 and 2029 and agreed to expand cooperation in education, health care and local development projects.

The statement highlighted plans for more “small and beautiful” community-focused projects aimed at improving livelihoods in Pakistan through infrastructure, agriculture, education and public health programs.

Sharif thanked the Chinese leadership and people for what he described as a warm reception during his visit, which coincided with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The sweeping agreement illustrates how Beijing and Islamabad are broadening their partnership beyond traditional infrastructure and defense ties into emerging technologies, regional diplomacy and global governance — reinforcing one of Asia’s closest strategic relationships at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments.