Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, according to Chinese state media, AFP reported, amid continuing diplomatic efforts by several countries to formally end the Iran war.The meeting was confirmed by Chinese state news agency Xinhua and came after Sharif held talks earlier in the day with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.As part of his visit, Sharif is also expected to attend events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and visit Zhejiang Province.Xi reaffirms support for PakistanAccording to a May 21 statement by Xinhua, the two leaders were expected to hold in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and issues of shared concern, while charting the future direction of China-Pakistan relations amid evolving regional developments, today.During the meeting, Xi reaffirmed Beijing’s strong backing for Pakistan during talks with Sharif, saying China places high priority on its ties with Islamabad as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy, according to a Reuters pool report.Xi praises Pakistan’s Middle East mediation effortsDuring the meeting, Xi reportedly referred to Sharif as an “old friend” and described China and Pakistan’s ties as an “unbreakable traditional friendship.”He also appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive” role in efforts to mediate peace in the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions.