ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday departed for a high-stakes four-day official visit to China aimed at deepening political trust and expanding economic cooperation between the two historic neighbors. Accompanied by a senior ministerial delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the premier’s trip holds immense diplomatic weight as both nations celebrate 75 years of formal ties. According to the Foreign Office, this visit offers a timely window to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a primary focus on accelerating industrial cooperation, digital technologies, and trade under the next phase of infrastructure development.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is heading to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping as China and Pakistan deepen ties over energy security, regional tensions, and economic cooperation.
Al Jazeera’s @Katmyu reports. pic.twitter.com/5QYyyzNf0a
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Key Highlights
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a four-day official trip to China on Saturday.
- The high-level visit aligns with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.
- The premier is scheduled to hold leadership meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
- Discussions will heavily focus on high-quality CPEC development and agricultural modernization.
- The ongoing US-Iran military conflict is expected to feature prominently in diplomatic talks.
- Joint Middle East strategy and economic partnerships top the agenda
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Curtain Raiser: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Undertake Official Visit to China https://t.co/XBGEvIy7MS
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 22, 2026
The premier is set to begin his diplomatic itinerary in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he will lead the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference to foster direct corporate partnerships. In Beijing, the delegation will participate in a special state reception organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate their landmark 1951 diplomatic milestone. Formal leadership rounds with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang will focus closely on high-quality CPEC expansion, strategic coordination, and tech transfers.
Beyond purely bilateral matters, the visit takes on greater regional urgency due to volatile security dynamics in the Middle East. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that the ongoing US-Iran war will be a core talking point during the premier’s consultations with the Chinese leadership. Both countries have maintained tight diplomatic coordination to defuse regional standoffs, previously formalizing a unified five-point peace principle during Dar’s visit to Beijing last month. The current tour is expected to solidify this shared vision, reinforcing the all-weather strategic partnership amid shifting global geopolitics.
