PM reaffirms support for China’s core interests, CPEC expansion as he meets NPC delegation
A 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 resolve to ensure the success of the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The development came during a meeting with a high-level Chinese delegation led by National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Vice Chairman Cai Dafeng.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the delegation is visiting Pakistan to participate in the celebrations marking 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, time-tested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries.
“Over the past 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 significance,” he said.
ISLAMABAD: 20 May 2026.
Call on the Prime Minister by Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), Mr. Cai Dafeng.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a highly level Chinese delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Cai Dafeng, Vice… pic.twitter.com/f2LbtOKY2vThe 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, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to ensure the success of the next phase of CPEC, with a focus on agriculture, IT, industry and the mining sector.
The premier said he was “greatly looking forward” to his upcoming official visit to China, scheduled from May 23–26.
On the regional situation, the statement said the prime minister appreciated China’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in South Asia and the Middle East, and reaffirmed 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 the greetings on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“China would continue to support Pakistan and continue its close cooperation with Pakistan to build a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future,” he said, expressing the Chinese leadership’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.
He added that China was fully supportive of Pakistan’s role in ongoing regional peace efforts and would continue to play its part in maintaining global peace and stability.
Both sides underscored the uniqueness of the Pakistan-China ironclad brotherhood as a vital pillar of peace, development and stability in the region.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch attended the meeting, according to the Prime Minister’s Office statement.