ISLAMABAD: A visiting Chinese Communist Party (CPC) minister held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday, with discussions focusing on bilateral cooperation, political engagement and regional and international developments.

Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), is on his first official visit to Pakistan, which began on November 1, according to the Foreign Office.

During his meeting with the prime minister, Shehbaz stressed the importance of sustained political engagement and party-to-party exchanges to strengthen bilateral relations further.

Welcoming Liu and his delegation, the premier reaffirmed that Pakistan and China enjoyed an iron-clad, time-tested and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He said the friendship between the two countries was anchored in mutual trust, respect and deep-rooted bonds between their peoples.

Shehbaz appreciated the IDCPC’s role in fostering institutional linkages and promoting cooperation between the two countries’ political leadership.

He also highlighted their shared focus on advancing cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, infrastructure development, information technology and agricultural modernisation.

Liu conveyed the greetings of the Chinese leadership and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to further deepening its longstanding friendship with Pakistan.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums.

The prime minister also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting minister and his delegation.