Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif begins China visit, set for talks with President Xi Jinping

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday departed for Hangzhou on the first leg of a four-day official visit to China from May 23 to 26, aimed at boosting economic cooperation, deepening strategic ties, and advancing projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

During his visit, Sharif is scheduled to meet Zhejiang Party Secretary Wang Hao in Hangzhou, attend a business forum focused on CPEC Phase 2 cooperation, and witness the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding. He is also expected to hold meetings with CEOs of major Chinese companies and visit Alibaba headquarters to discuss investment opportunities.

The Pakistani premier will later travel to Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The visit will also feature events commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, alongside engagements with leading Chinese firms and a visit to the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the visit would reaffirm the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries and expand collaboration in areas including trade, investment, agriculture, information technology, science, and people-to-people exchanges.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said regional tensions, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict, are also expected to figure in the discussions.

“Pakistan and China have maintained close coordination on the standoff in the Middle East and our peace efforts in this regard,” Andrabi said, referring to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s earlier visit to China.

He added that both countries had agreed on a “five-point principle” issued through a joint statement, and the matter would likely be discussed further during Sharif’s visit.