Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded a string of high-level engagements in Beijing this week, moving Pakistan-China cooperation into a new implementation phase after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Across back-to-back meetings with China’s top leadership, ministers, and business executives, the prime minister pressed for accelerated delivery on major corridor projects, fresh investment, and diversified sectoral ties. The visit underlined Islamabad’s intent to anchor its economic recovery in closer integration with Chinese capital and technology.
Xi Jinping Reaffirms Strategic Partnership
On 2 September in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Shehbaz Sharif met President Xi Jinping, aligning on upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to “2.0” with emphasis on industry, agriculture, mining and an upgrade of the bilateral free trade framework. Security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan featured prominently, with Islamabad reiterating commitments to strengthened safeguards as part of a stable environment for expanded cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed the “all-weather strategic partnership” and agreed that deepening coordination would be vital for regional stability.
Premier Li Qiang Endorses CPEC 2.0 and Financing Plans
In talks with Premier Li Qiang on 4 September, both sides agreed to work closely on CPEC’s upgraded phase. Islamabad flagged early implementation of long-pending infrastructure priorities, Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1 (ML-1) upgrade, Karakoram Highway realignment, and full operationalization of Gwadar Port. The meeting also marked Pakistan’s intent to access China’s onshore capital markets via renminbi-denominated “Panda Bonds,” aimed at diversifying funding sources and stabilizing reserves. Both sides stressed the importance of translating leadership-level consensus into practical, timely outcomes.
Investment Conference Expands Business Outreach
Sharif capped the diplomatic track with an investment push, presiding over a Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing that drew more than 300 Pakistani and 500 Chinese companies. The outreach prioritized industry relocation to special economic zones and targeted new capital in agriculture, information technology, textiles, mining and broader industrial value-chains. In a separate meeting with China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng, Pakistan pitched expanded cooperation in industry and ICT alongside trade facilitation measures and streamlined travel for Chinese business executives. Officials also highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, e-commerce, and food security, areas that are set to feature in follow-up sectoral dialogues.
The visit, while brief, underscored Islamabad’s effort to revitalize key infrastructure projects, secure financing options, and reassure Beijing of Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding bilateral cooperation. With multiple agreements and initiatives under discussion, both governments signaled that the next phase of engagement will be anchored not only in connectivity and trade but also in emerging sectors of the global economy.
