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China’s Xi praises ‘unbreakable’ Pakistan ties as Sharif visits Beijing

Xi praised China-Pakistan ties as “unbreakable” while Sharif called the countries “iron brother” partners during a Beijing visit. The talks also touched on Pakistan’s role in Middle East mediation.

By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters·May 25·aljazeera.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini

China’s Xi praises ‘unbreakable’ Pakistan ties as Sharif visits Beijing
China’s Xi praises ‘unbreakable’ Pakistan ties as Sharif visits BeijingImage: aljazeera.com

Xi Jinping used a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif to restate China’s long-running support for Pakistan and describe the relationship as unbreakable. The visit also carried regional weight, with Pakistan promoting itself as a mediator in talks around the US-Israel war on Iran and China endorsing that role.

Why it matters

This is a snapshot of one of Asia’s most important strategic relationships, with implications for security, diplomacy, and regional crisis management. It also shows how Pakistan is trying to leverage its ties with both China and Iran as Middle East tensions remain high.

China and Pakistan are like two very old friends who keep saying they trust each other no matter what happens. Their leaders met in Beijing and used strong words to show the friendship is still very close.

The visit was not just about friendship. Pakistan is also trying to help with talks linked to the fighting around Iran, and China said it supports efforts that could help calm the region.

It is a bit like two school captains talking while a big playground argument is going on nearby. They are trying to show they can work together and help keep things from getting worse.

Analysis

China and Pakistan reaffirm ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing and described the bilateral relationship as an “unbreakable” friendship. Xi said the two sides have long understood and supported each other, and he repeated that China gives priority to relations with Pakistan in its neighbourhood diplomacy.

Sharif responded in equally warm language, calling the two countries “iron brother” partners with a relationship that is “next to none.” The meeting underlined the depth of the political and strategic relationship, which the article says includes close economic, trade and security cooperation and places Pakistan among China’s small set of “all-weather strategic partners.”

Regional diplomacy in focus

The visit carried a wider diplomatic purpose because Pakistan is trying to play a central role in talks aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, who has been involved in contacts between Washington and Tehran, accompanied Sharif to Beijing.

Sharif told Chinese leaders that the world is passing through a critical moment and thanked China for supporting efforts to promote peace. According to Chinese state media, Xi welcomed Pakistan’s “constructive role” in mediation efforts in the Middle East. The article also notes that China has kept a quieter role, including calls and meetings with Gulf officials, while saying it will help promote peace and stability.

The story also links back to a March five-point initiative issued by Chinese and Pakistani foreign ministers, which called for peace talks and normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments.

Key points

  • Xi called China and Pakistan’s friendship “unbreakable” during Sharif’s visit to Beijing.
  • Sharif described the relationship as one between “iron brother” countries.
  • The visit also focused on Pakistan’s role in mediation efforts around the US-Israel war on Iran.
  • China said it values Pakistan’s constructive role in peace efforts in the Middle East.
  • The article links the diplomacy to broader concerns about the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability.

Originally reported at

aljazeera.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsglobal-newspoliticspolicychinapakistanmiddle-east

Author

Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters

Intelligence analysis by

GPT-5.4 Mini

Published

May 25, 2026

Source

aljazeera.com

Share

Topics

global-newspoliticspolicychinapakistanmiddle-east

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