Appreciates modern technology use in China for disaster management.
TIANJIN, CHINA – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday attended the reception for world leaders participating in the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting in Tianjin, China. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and leaders of other countries. Earlier, Xi held intensive bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, where he has underscored the importance of friendship, practical cooperation and multilateralism.
At the reception, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held informal meetings with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The Prime Minister was the centre of attention of the world leaders who showed ceptional warmth to him.
The closeness seen in these meetings is a reflection of the brotherly and friendly relations between Pakistan and these countries. The two-day SCO summit, started on Sunday, marks the fifth time China has hosted the event and will be the largest in the organization’s history. Leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations will gather in the port city to review the SCO’s achievements, chart its future course and push forward toward building a closer SCO community with a shared future.
Interacting with the guests, President Xi pointed out that this summit carries the important mission of building consensus, unleashing cooperation momentum, and mapping out a blueprint for development.
From “SCO” to “SCO plus,” the organization has now convened the largest gathering since its establishment, fully reflecting its strong internal cohesion and growing international influence.
This summit coincides with a historic juncture: the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan reviewed the current state of Pakistan-Turkiye relations and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in bilateral ties.
They noted with appreciation the steady increase in high-level exchanges and cooperation across a broad spectrum, including political, economic, defense, and security domains.
The Turkish president offered sincere condolences over the loss of precious lives and property as a result of the ongoing floods across various parts of Pakistan. He also expressed his country’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan and said that the government and people of Turkiye stood shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in this hour of need. The two sides exchanged views on key regional and international developments.
They expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed their shared commitment to using international platforms to advocate for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression and genocidal policies. The meeting reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye and underscored their shared resolve to further strengthen cooperation for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Muslim world and beyond.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the students and faculty members of Tianjin University, where he said that all the endeavours and initiatives of the incumbent Government in Pakistan are closely aligned with President Xi’s vision and philosophy, that were anchored in the progress and prosperity of the Chinese nation.
He urged the Pakistani students currently studying there to gain the latest knowledge and technology with sheer commitment and hard work and utilize their expertise in Pakistan for the welfare, progress and prosperity of their people.
The prime minister expressed his satisfaction that more than 200 students from various parts of Pakistan were getting an education in Tianjin University.
He said that it was an opportunity for them to be in a country and in such a university which was regarded as ‘a cradle of great learning.’ Terming students as ambassadors of Pakistan, he expressed the optimism that owing to their hard work, dedication and commitment to equip themselves with the latest knowledge and technology, they would return to Pakistan as architects for their future.
“Above all, you are the torch bearers of Pakistan-China friendship,” he added.
About the Pak-China time-tested friendship, he said it was built by their elder generations through unwavering commitment, honesty and unbelievable sincerity thus laying the foundation of a friendship to stand on pillars of mutual trust.’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif further said that the enduring friendship between the two nations not only stood the tests of time but faced enormous challenges of history.
“It withstands owing to commitment and clear vision in our minds; together to find a shared destiny,” he said, adding that all the designs to keep these two great friendly countries were defeated by their united actions and clear understanding.
He mentioned that taking 800 million people out of poverty had been the most towering achievement of China and all this was made possible due to the historic transformation by the visionary leadership of President Xi, adding that President Xi’ commitment to the welfare of his people and building a shared destiny and future had inspired the entire world.
The prime minister said the Chinese leadership had inspiring strategic long-term planning for the progress of the country while keeping the welfare of its people at heart.
The prime minister said the incumbent government in Pakistan was also committed to eradicating corruption and poverty, and expressed satisfaction that during the current tenure of his government, not a single corruption case had emerged.
Meanwhile, the prime minister visited the National Earthquake Simulation Center at Tianjin University and appreciated the use of modern technology in China for disaster management.
On the occasion, he observed that the modern technology and methods being used in China would prove extremely beneficial for facing the natural disasters in Pakistan. “By benefiting from the Chinese expertise in this regard, Pakistan will be able to adopt effective precautionary measures and strategies for facing the natural disasters in future,” PM Office Media Wing in a press release quoted the prime minister as saying.
He said that projects such as the International Medical Center and the China-Pakistan Joint Lab for disaster management in Pakistan should be further strengthened and the partnership between the two countries in this regard should be enhanced.
The prime minister, on the occasion, noted that at the national-level efforts were afoot to face the recent flood situation in Pakistan. At the National Earthquake Simulation Center, the prime minister was briefed on disaster management and rescue technologies, including newly developed medical rescue vehicles. He was also given a briefing on the modern technologies developed for precautionary measures against natural disasters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed that different projects in this regard existed under China-Pakistan cooperation while on others work was in progress. These projects included the China-Pakistan Joint Lab for Disaster and Emergency Medicine created under the Belt and Road Initiative, the International Medical Cooperation Center, China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital and other similar initiatives, it was added.
