Islamabad — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday embarked on a six-day official visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, where he will participate in high-level multilateral engagements and hold wide-ranging bilateral meetings aimed at deepening the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Pakistan and China.
According to the Foreign Office, the Prime Minister will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, a key regional forum bringing together leaders from across Eurasia to strengthen security cooperation, economic integration, and multilateral dialogue.
During the visit, Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to review “multifaceted dimensions” of Pakistan-China relations, with a strong focus on trade, investment, infrastructure, and the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both sides are expected to reaffirm support on issues of core national interests while advancing new initiatives in connectivity and regional development.
The Prime Minister will also join President Xi and other global leaders in Beijing’s grand military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory over Fascism in World War II. The event underscores China’s emphasis on historical memory, military strength, and international solidarity at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments.
Beyond political engagements, Shehbaz Sharif will meet with prominent Chinese corporate leaders and entrepreneurs to explore avenues for enhanced economic cooperation. He will address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing, highlighting Pakistan’s investment potential, regulatory reforms, and priority sectors for foreign investors.
In a message before departure, the Prime Minister termed the trip “historic,” noting that Pakistan seeks to build upon its close partnership with China and expand ties with other regional countries under the SCO framework. “Our goal is to enhance regional cooperation, strengthen multilateralism, and advance shared objectives of peace and prosperity,” he said.
The visit marks another chapter in the regular leadership-level exchanges between Islamabad and Beijing, reflecting the strategic weight both sides attach to their partnership. Analysts say discussions on CPEC Phase-II, regional security, and economic stability will dominate the agenda, while Pakistan also looks to leverage the SCO platform for greater regional connectivity amid global economic uncertainty.
