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.

The prime minister is in China on a four-day visit from May 23-26. The visit is expected to highlight a new chapter in the 75-year-old China-Pakistan relationship, which has long been recognised for mutual trust and enduring cooperation despite changing international circumstances, according to a commentary published on China’s CGTN website.

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 Defence Forces and 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.

Read: PM Shehbaz meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, reaffirms commitment to CPEC

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.”