Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for a six-day official visit to China on Friday. He will attend the 25th Heads of State Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin and hold meetings with top Chinese leadership.
High-Level Delegation Accompanies PM
PM Shehbaz is joined by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Adviser Tariq Fatemi. The delegation reflects Pakistan’s strong emphasis on deepening political, economic, and strategic ties with China.
During his stay, the prime minister will also attend the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Allied victory in World War II, hosted in Beijing. Several global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to participate in the event.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
According to the Foreign Office, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China continues the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries. The visit will focus on reviewing progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II, which includes industrial cooperation, energy projects, and new infrastructure development.
The prime minister is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Talks will cover multiple areas, including trade, investment, and regional security. He will also deliver an address at the SCO summit, where Pakistan will highlight its stance on regional peace and economic connectivity.
Focus on Trade and Investment
In Beijing, PM Shehbaz will engage with leading Chinese business leaders and corporate executives. He will also deliver a keynote speech at the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Investment Conference. The event aims to encourage partnerships in energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
The Foreign Office stressed that PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China will also create opportunities for new trade ventures. Discussions with Chinese companies are expected to yield agreements in industrial modernization and digital innovation.
Regional Cooperation at SCO
At the SCO summit, the prime minister will emphasize the importance of regional cooperation in countering terrorism, enhancing connectivity, and promoting sustainable development. He is also expected to call for closer multilateral engagement to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.
PM Shehbaz’s visit underlines Islamabad’s commitment to both strengthening the Pakistan-China partnership and expanding its role in regional forums like the SCO.
