Pakistan and China reach ‘new broad consensus’ on boosting ties

A joint statement says the countries aim to boost the China-Pakistan-economic-corridor" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="117221" data-entity-type="organization">China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and develop Gwadar port.China and Pakistan have reached a “new broad consensus” ⁠on deepening strategic ⁠ties to bolster the development of a joint economic corridor and establish the port of Gwadar as a regional connectivity hub, according to a joint statement.“The two sides engaged cordially and reached a new broad consensus on further deepening the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” the neighbours said in a joint statement shared by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Iron brothers’: How China and Pakistan built an unlikely 75-year bondlist 2 of 3China’s Xi praises ‘unbreakable’ Pakistan ties as Sharif visits Beijinglist 3 of 3Train bomb in Pakistan’s Baloch region: Why violence is on the riseend of listThe statement comes as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concludes a visit to China, at a time when ⁠Islamabad is seeking investment while navigating tensions with Afghanistan and mediating in the US-Israel war on Iran.Both sides agreed to advance the China-Pakistan-economic-corridor" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="117221" data-entity-type="organization">China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, by upgrading the 1,300km (808-mile) Karakoram Highway and developing Pakistan’s Gwadar port, they said in the statement issued after Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.Pakistan also promised targeted steps ⁠to boost security and cooperation to ensure the safety of ⁠Chinese workers and investments in Pakistan, a key concern for Beijing after repeated attacks on its nationals and projects.The two countries also agreed on the importance of promoting a multipolar world, while opposing unilateral actions by other nations.China appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in mediating the temporary ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran, and both sides reiterated support for early adoption of a five-point initiative to restore Middle East ⁠peace, offering to make positive contributions towards it.