Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time since his promotion, alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in Beijing. The meeting, part of Sharif’s delegation visit following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, focused on deepening bilateral and regional cooperation. Munir, who will also attend a Chinese military parade on September on the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, underscored Pakistan’s strategic alignment with China, which supplies over 80% of its military acquisitions.

The discussions, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, emphasized an upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Free Trade Agreement, with Xi stressing the need for Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects. Sharif endorsed Xi’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) for global peace and stability, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the one-China principle and enhanced cooperation across all sectors. The talks highlighted the “unique and unparalleled” relationship between the two nations, with both sides pledging to advance CPEC’s second phase, focusing on Pakistan’s key economic sectors.

The meeting followed Munir’s notable absence from a prior meeting with Xi during his July 2025 China visit, unlike his predecessor General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and came after a controversial lunch with US President Donald Trump, which had raised concerns in China given its “all-weather” ties with Pakistan. Sharif extended an invitation to Xi for a 2026 visit to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties, signaling a long-term commitment to strengthening the China-Pakistan strategic partnership amid evolving global dynamics.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi: PM Modi Halted Pak Conflict on Trump’s Orders

Also Read: 6 Pakistan Drones Spotted Near LoC in Poonch