On the morning of April 27, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the phone.

Noting China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers, Li Qiang said that both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, strive for greater progress in bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and jointly promote the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Li Qiang stressed that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both sides should work together to improve the quality of the CPEC cooperation, making it a demonstration project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China is ready to continuously import more quality agricultural and livestock products from Pakistan and advance industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan. The two sides should accelerate expanding the cooperation in fields regarding agriculture, minerals, science and technology, and information technology. China supports Pakistan in maintaining financial stability, and hopes that Pakistan will continue to create a favorable environment and earnestly guarantee the safety of Chinese-funded institutions and Chinese personnel in Pakistan. China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in defending national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining unity and stability, and achieving revitalization and development. The two sides should support each other in the multilateral field, uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the common interests of both countries and other developing countries, defend regional peace and security, and advance common development.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and China are “iron-clad brothers” and the destinies of the two countries are closely linked. Pakistan is always a trustworthy partner of China in maintaining peace, promoting development and addressing common challenges. Pakistan firmly pursues the one-China policy and staunchly supports China on all issues concerning China’s core interests. Pakistan thanks China for its firm support and selfless help to the country in safeguarding national independence and sovereignty and promoting national development. He expressed Pakistan’s willingness to work with China to promote high-quality development of the CPEC, deepen cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, industry, agriculture, economy and trade, and further push forward the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Pakistan will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan.