China and Pakistan should accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and achieve more results in all-weather cooperation between the two countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing. He also urged the two sides to bring more benefits to the people of both countries, contribute to promoting regional peace and stability, and set an example for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. 

During their talks, Xi noted that over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan have enjoyed mutual understanding, trust and support and forged an unbreakable traditional friendship. He added that the strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation have strongly promoted the development of both nations and that no matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always prioritize the development of China-Pakistan relations in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. 

Xi shared his pleasure in receiving a letter from Pakistani students studying at Tianjin University, in which they expressed their aspiration to become builders of cooperation, promoters of exchanges and guardians of friendship between China and Pakistan.

He said he was heartened to see that the cause of China-Pakistan friendship has dedicated young successors, adding that the two sides should accelerate the development of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and deliver more outcomes from their all-weather cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, contribute to regional peace and stability, and set a fine example for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He added China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Pakistan, strengthen strategic communication and steer the bilateral relationship forward in the right direction. 

He said that the two sides should make solid progress in implementing the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, advance both major signature projects and "small and beautiful" livelihood programs, while deepening all-round cooperation in areas such as agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence and talent cultivation. 

The two sides should also conduct security cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Xi added. He commended Pakistan for taking the initiative to play a mediating role in restoring peace in the Middle East and said the two sides should maintain close communication and coordination, jointly oppose unilateralism and the Cold War mentality, and promote an equal, orderly multipolar world and an economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive.

For his part, Sharif said that Xi is a great friend of the Pakistani people and the ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China was forged personally by the elder generation of leaders.

The prime minister said that under Xi's strong leadership, China has achieved remarkable economic progress and provided strength for maintaining world peace and building a multipolar world. He stated that Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle, stands resolutely with China on all issues concerning China's core interests and will always be a reliable partner.

Sharif also said that Pakistan will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China, learn from China's governance experience, deepen Belt and Road cooperation and advance the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He expressed appreciation for China's support regarding Pakistan's mediation of negotiations between the United States and Iran, adding that the four propositions put forward by Xi on the Middle East situation provide a guiding framework for peace in the region. He said Pakistan stands ready to coordinate closely with China to jointly contribute to world peace and stability.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also attended the meeting.

(With input from Xinhua)