Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan had played a “very sincere role” in efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, as he held high-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing focused on regional stability, bilateral cooperation and deepening strategic ties.

During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding shared interests and promoting peace amid rising tensions in the Gulf.

Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in China on Saturday on a four-day official visit, reaching Beijing after a stopover in Hangzhou.

Referring to the ongoing regional crisis, the prime minister said the world was passing through “a very critical moment” and stressed the need for collective efforts to restore stability. “We have to really be together so that the world at large is at peace,” he said.

PM Shehbaz noted that Pakistan had remained actively engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation between the US and Iran. He said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had just returned from Tehran after consultations with Iranian officials and travelled overnight to attend the Beijing engagements.

The prime minister added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also been in contact with relevant regional stakeholders to support peace efforts. “We pray to Allah Almighty that peace will be restored. A lot of ground has been covered, and things are moving in the right direction,” he said.

He warned that the crisis had impacted both regional and global economies, particularly oil-importing countries such as Pakistan. “Pakistan, being a net importer of oil and petroleum products, has also felt the economic impact,” he said.

PM Shehbaz also thanked the Chinese leadership for supporting peace and ceasefire efforts and acknowledged Beijing’s endorsement of President Xi Jinping’s four-point agenda and five-point support programme following consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministers.

Calling the visit “always a great pleasure”, the prime minister thanked the Chinese leadership for its warm hospitality.

“Dear brother and friend, thank you very much for the very warm invitation to visit China,” he said. “Each time we come, we see new changes and major developments.”

At the outset of his remarks, PM Shehbaz also expressed condolences over Friday’s gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province, which killed 82 people.

“I express my deepest condolences on the tragic gas explosion in a coal mine,” he said, while conveying solidarity with the affected families.

Referring to bilateral ties, the premier said Pakistan and China were celebrating “75 years of our glorious friendship and diplomatic relations”, adding that the relationship established by the founding leaders of both countries had laid “a strong foundation” that continued to grow stronger.

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Earlier, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said both countries had “maintained close communication and coordination, safeguarded common interests and injected positive energy to regional peace”.

He added that China was ready to work with Pakistan for “greater solidarity, traditional friendship, firmly support each other, and keep expanding practical cooperation to deliver more results in building a community with a shared future for the two countries.”

Upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, PM Shehbaz was accorded a guard of honour. The national anthems of Pakistan and China were played as both leaders stood at the saluting dais and introduced their delegations.

Field Marshal Asim Munir was also present at the event after concluding his visit to Iran.

The two sides are expected to witness the exchange of memorandums of understanding and agreements during the visit. PM Shehbaz is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later today and attend events marking the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.