ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated China on convening two major annual political meetings, where Beijing set an ambitious economic growth target and announced a substantial increase in defense spending amid a changing geopolitical environment, while also inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit.
China’s “Two Sessions,” comprising the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, began on March 4 and 5, respectively, shaping the country’s policy direction for the year.
The meetings upheld a GDP growth target of approximately 5 percent for 2025, as Beijing navigates global trade uncertainties following the return of Donald Trump’s administration in Washington.
China also announced a 7.2 percent increase in defense spending, underscoring its commitment to military modernization and national security amid rising regional and global tensions.
“I extend my warm congratulations to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Chinese people on the successful convening of the ‘Two Sessions’ in Beijing,” Sharif said in a social media post on X.
“China is making remarkable progress in achieving its national development goals,” he continued. “We are particularly impressed by China’s modernization under President Xi’s visionary leadership.”
The prime minister reaffirmed that Pakistan and China would continue to work together to strengthen bilateral cooperation and achieve the “shared objectives of peace and development.”
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong shakes hands with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on March 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy: PMO)
Pakistan and China have long collaborated on infrastructure development and regional connectivity, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) serving as the flagship project of their strategic partnership.
As both nations move toward the next phase of CPEC, their focus has shifted to business and industrial cooperation, aiming to boost investment, manufacturing and technology transfer.
Bilateral cooperation, however, faces challenges, particularly security threats to Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. Attacks on CPEC-linked infrastructure and Chinese nationals by militant groups have raised concerns.
Additionally, delays in project execution, financial constraints and bureaucratic hurdles have slowed some CPEC initiatives, requiring both countries to enhance policy coordination and implementation efficiency.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong gestures during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on March 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy: PMO)
The Prime Minister’s Office also issued a statement on Friday, saying China’s Ambassador Jiang Zaidong met Sharif earlier in the day. Among other things, they discussed “progress on security and counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.”
The prime minister also noted this year marked the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in 2015, as he renewed his invitation for the Chinese leader to visit the country again.
