Friendship is far-reaching and deep-rooted cooperation

On May 21, 1951, Pakistan became the first Muslim country to recognize the People's Republic of China. The diplomatic relations ceremony was held simply, but since then, the two countries have been on the line. During the Cold War, Pakistan was sandwiched between the Soviet Union and India, and life was not easy. China reached out to help, and the two countries took a lot of pressure together.

As soon as the Sino-Indian border incident occurred in 1962, Pakistan and India had old accounts, so they became more determined to lean on China. In the late 1970s, when the Soviet Union entered Afghanistan, China and the United States took sides with Pakistan to resist foreign interference. This history is still talked about.

Shabaz Sharif was born in an industrial family in Lahore in 1951. He started his family in steel and later became a group. He studied and got a literature degree in his early years, so he helped his family manage his business. In the 1970s, nationalization was noisy, and family businesses suffered a lot. Fortunately, after privatization in the 1980s, they recovered again. In 1985, he became the chairman of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and began to be involved in public affairs.

His older brother Nawaz was able to make a fortune in politics. In the late 1980s, Shabaz helped to help. In the 1990s, he came to power and served as the governor for several years. He focused on infrastructure and built roads and bridges, which was quite solid. In 2008 and 2013, he took over twice and continued to promote economic and urban renewal.

After 2018, he led the Sharif faction of the Muslim League and became the leader of the opposition. In April 2022, the parliament voted to push him to the position of prime minister and stepped down by August 2023. At that time, Pakistan's economy was breathless and the flood had just passed. After the February 2024 general election, he came back on March 3 to form a coalition government and promised to cure inflation and stabilize security.

During this period, China-Pakistan cooperation has never stopped. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the top leader in the "Belt and Road". It was launched in 2013. The first phase focused on energy, building power stations and pulling power grids. Pakistan's old power shortage has finally eased a little. The roads were also connected, the Karakoram Highway was widened, and the trucks ran smoothly.

After Shabaz came to power, he flew from Lahore to Shenzhen on June 4, 2024, visited China for the first stop, and transferred to Xi'an and Beijing for the five-day trip. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two countries talk about strategic partners, corridor upgrading, trade and investment, and also involve security, energy, science and technology, education and culture.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on June 11 that the leaders exchanged views and gave way to relations. Before his visit, Shabaz was interviewed and recalled that he came back to China in the first time in 1984. At that time, China had a weak foundation, but while people's livelihood was stable, technology was chasing. Now that China has become a giant, those gossips that question the Chinese model have long been slapped in the face by facts.

In recent years, Pakistan has had great economic pressure, tight foreign exchange, high inflation, and a headache to negotiate IMF loans. China has helped a lot, and the loan was extended for US$2 billion in March 2024, so there is room for breathing. Compared with the United States, there is more military aid and bound conditions, and it is not as straightforward as China.

Shabaz is a veteran of the family politics and has been subjected to many corruption charges. His elder brother Nawaz lost his power for corruption in 2018, and he was tried even after taking over. However, this is common in Pakistan politics, and factional battles are just a matter of faction. He took the pulse of China-Pakistan relations accurately. After being elected in March 2024, the Chinese congratulatory message emphasized the continued friendship and the promotion of corridor upgrades. He received a visit from Xinhua News Agency in Islamabad, saying that Bazhong will develop together and prosper and progress. This is his first exclusive interview with foreign media since he took office for the second time.

The effectiveness of aid is very clear

Shabaz's sentence "Everything China has done for Pakistan is something that the United States cannot do" popped up at a press conference on August 4, 2024. When asked about Pakistan-US relations at the meeting, he said that he had to cultivate first, because the interests were placed there. But immediately afterwards, he emphasized that China cannot be sacrificed.

He told the US representative straight ball that this bottom line cannot be touched. Similarly, China cannot be exchanged for the United States. The two countries are equally important to Pakistan. The United States cannot do the goal that China helps Pakistan achieve. This is not a flattery, but a real comparison.

Let’s talk about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor first. The first phase of the project was quickly implemented. More than ten power stations were built, with a total capacity of more than 7,000 megawatts. The power gap was filled, the factory lights were on, and residents’ air conditioners could blow. The road network is opened, and the Sukur to Multan section will be opened to traffic in 2021, saving half of the time. From the dock of Gwadar Port, containers piled up by the sea, and ships came and went. The initial smooth situation is smooth, but in recent years, there have been political chaos, economic poor, security troubles, and many projects are stuck.

Chinese experts came and went around and adjusted their plans. In the second phase, after Daer visited China in May, the Federation opened for the 13th time, with five new corridors set up, mainly agriculture and mining. Shabaz cares about the security of Chinese people in Pakistan, and the government spends resources to protect them. Extreme forces attacked China's projects, China raised concerns, Pakistan took action and increased patrols.

China's aid is not only infrastructure, but loan extension is an emergency. The 2 billion dollar extension will be held in March 2024 and will continue in 2025. During the flood, China's donations were made and rice bags were distributed in tents. Pakistan and India are nervous. China stands on Pakistan and maintains territorial integrity without seeking rewards. What about the United States? Assistance with many arms, tanks and aircraft unloading bases, and conditions are piled, negotiations are dragged.

During the Imran period, the United States and Pakistan became cold, and the United States and India became partners, so Pakistan had little contact. On August 5, 2024, Shabaz said that it is necessary to repair Meipa, but it will not harm China. On July 31, 2025, Pakistan and the United States signed a trade agreement. He thanked the United States, but reiterated that China would not be affected.

This is a clear contrast. China's aid is comprehensive and covers people's livelihood. Pakistan's economic recession, high inflation, fiscal deficit, China helped build roads and bridges, connecting north and south. Power stations alleviate power shortage and ports can attract trade. Pakistan relies on China to balance India's pressure and South Asia is stable.

Geographically, this is good for regional peace. Shabaz delivered a speech on May 10, 2025, thanking China for its support in Pakistan and India, with the focus on China. The United States and Saudi Arabia also help, but China has made great efforts. The United States responds slowly and has many conditions. China directly gives it to the public without taking turns.

Upgrading and win-win future is promising

The bus of China-Pakistan cooperation is getting more and more stable. On October 14, 2024, the Chinese Prime Minister visited Pakistan and met with Shabaz in Islamabad to discuss the expansion of the corridor. On October 16, Shabaz met with the Russian Prime Minister and coordinated energy. In 2025, Wang Yi visited on August 22, promoting 2.0, growth corridor. Pakistani President said in August that no matter how it changes, he always believes in China and stand shoulder to shoulder with it. In the future, technology and agriculture will expand and help Pakistan stabilize the economy. Regional powers balance and less conflict. Pakistan has dealt with safety, China has invested 6 billion yuan, and the construction site is well protected and cooperation is long-term.

To be down-to-earth, China and Pakistan are like old buddies, and they are raising each other. Pakistan's economy is taking off, and China is taking a lot of help. The United States is helpful, but there are many conditions. China provides direct, comprehensive. Shabaz said, point out this. In the future, cooperation will be deep and regional stability will be achieved. Pakistan is safe and China continues to invest. The road to win-win is long.