Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, wants to cooperate with Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

In a statement, the British prime minister praised the two nations' long-standing connections and pledged to collaborate with Pakistan's next prime minister on areas of mutual interest.

"Congratulations to Chief Minister Shehbaz on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister. The United Kingdom and Pakistan have a long history of friendship, and our people are deeply connected. Boris Johnson tweeted, "I look forward to working together on areas of similar interest."

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his victory, saying he looked forward to working with him to continue the two countries' long-standing friendship and strengthen mutual political trust.

In a congratulatory letter, Li said China and Pakistan were unique all-weather strategic cooperating partners, and their bilateral relations and friendship had been rock-solid and indestructible through significant changes.

"In the face of profound and complicated changes in the international and regional circumstances, as well as the devastating COVID-19 pandemic," he said, "China and Pakistan have helped each other overcome hardships, and the ironclad China-Pakistan relationship continues to expand."

Li expressed his eagerness to cooperate with Shehbaz to continue the two countries' long-standing friendship, strengthen mutual political confidence, and advance the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He also voiced confidence in Pakistan's ability to achieve new heights in terms of national stability, growth, and advancement.