Xi Jinping hails China’s ‘unbreakable’ friendship with Pakistan as he meets PM Shehbaz

What Happened

• Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 25 May 2026, as Pakistan marked 75 years of diplomatic relations with China.
• Both leaders pledged a "new era" for the bilateral relationship, with Xi describing the friendship as "unbreakable" and reaffirming the "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership."
• Pakistan secured investment deals worth approximately USD 12.2 billion from Chinese entities during the visit, spanning industrialisation, clean energy, agriculture, and digital transformation.
• The two sides agreed to accelerate the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan with Pakistan's 'Uraan Pakistan' economic vision.
• Xi praised Pakistan's role in promoting peace in the Middle East, particularly its engagement in Iran-related diplomatic channels.
• China's Premier Li Qiang separately met Shehbaz, where both sides confirmed deeper cooperation on CPEC's second phase across connectivity, special economic zones (SEZs), and energy.

Static Topic Bridges

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

CPEC is a flagship project under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connecting the port of Gwadar in southwestern Pakistan to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Launched on 20 April 2015 when Xi visited Islamabad, the original framework included 51 agreements and MoUs valued at USD 46 billion. The corridor spans approximately 2,700 km and encompasses road, rail, pipeline, and fibre-optic networks. CPEC is designed to give China overland access to the Arabian Sea — bypassing the Strait of Malacca — and to transform Pakistan's energy-deficient, low-connectivity economy.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India's Position

The Belt and Road Initiative, announced by Xi Jinping in 2013, is China's signature foreign policy and economic programme. It comprises the overland "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the maritime "21st Century Maritime Silk Road." BRI has financed infrastructure in over 140 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. India is the most prominent country to have formally refused to join BRI, citing sovereignty concerns over CPEC routing through PoK, as well as transparency and debt sustainability issues with Chinese infrastructure financing.

All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership

The China-Pakistan relationship is officially designated an "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" — a unique formulation in Chinese diplomacy suggesting unconditional commitment regardless of international climate. Pakistan is the only country to hold this designation. The relationship encompasses defence supplies (Pakistan is China's largest arms export market, receiving JF-17 fighter jets, Type 054A frigates, HQ-9/P air defence systems), nuclear cooperation (China assisted Pakistan's civilian nuclear programme), economic integration (CPEC), and diplomatic support at multilateral forums (China has repeatedly used its UN Security Council veto to shield Pakistan on terrorism-related designations).

Key Facts & Data

• China-Pakistan diplomatic relations established: 21 May 1951
• CPEC original investment framework: USD 46 billion (2015); now estimated at USD 62+ billion
• Investment deals secured during the Beijing visit: approximately USD 12.2 billion
• CPEC route length: approximately 2,700 km (Gwadar to Kashgar)
• Pakistan is China's largest arms recipient by value — over 70% of major weapons imports
• China's 15th Five-Year Plan period: 2026–2030 (to be aligned with Uraan Pakistan vision)
• Pakistan has received Chinese assistance for 6 civilian nuclear reactors under KANUPP and Chashma series
• India has consistently opposed CPEC, raising concerns at the UN and in bilateral diplomacy, citing PoK routing