Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visits China for high-level Xi Jinping talks, focusing on CPEC expansion, investment deals, and strengthening long-term strategic and economic cooperation, reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has begun a four-day official visit to China, departing for Hangzhou on Saturday in a trip aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, advancing strategic ties, and accelerating work on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif’s visit from May 23 to 26 will focus on expanding investment links, boosting trade, and deepening bilateral coordination with Beijing at a time of shifting regional and global dynamics.
The delegation accompanying the prime minister includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, underscoring the economic and strategic importance Islamabad is attaching to the visit.
Sharif’s itinerary begins in Hangzhou, where he is expected to meet the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, Wang Hao, and participate in a business forum promoting cooperation under the second phase of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. He will also attend signing ceremonies for agreements and memorandums of understanding aimed at expanding commercial and technological collaboration.
During his stay, the Pakistani premier is scheduled to engage with chief executives of major Chinese companies and visit the headquarters of Alibaba, signalling Islamabad’s push to attract digital investment and technology partnerships.
The visit will later shift to Beijing, where Sharif is expected to hold high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. These discussions are expected to cover the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade, infrastructure development, energy cooperation, agriculture, information technology and defence coordination.
The Pakistani Foreign Office said the visit will reaffirm the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries and further strengthen political trust and strategic coordination. It added that the trip is intended to consolidate long-standing diplomatic ties while expanding practical economic cooperation.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, which is expected to be highlighted during official engagements and commemorative events.
According to Pakistani officials, discussions may also touch on broader regional security concerns, including tensions in the Middle East. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad and Beijing have maintained close coordination on regional issues and previously agreed on a five-point framework for peace efforts.
