ISLAMABAD, May 13 — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a three-day official visit to China from May 23 to 26. Making the announcement at the launch of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Center, DPM Dar highlighted that the visit aims to further solidify the “all-weather” strategic partnership between the two nations. The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations on May 21 and follows a recent high-level visit by President Asif Ali Zardari.
🚨BREAKING: Pakistan PM to visit China on May 23, 2026 for talks with Xi Jinping. pic.twitter.com/fsifH5nR9z
— The Daily CPEC (@TheDailyCPEC) May 9, 2026
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China from May 23 to May 26.
- The Premier is scheduled to attend a major Business-to-Business (B2B) forum on May 24.
- The visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
- Discussions will include Pakistan’s ongoing role in mediating between the US and Iran.
- A new “Pak-China Digital Corridor” was launched to enhance tech and innovation cooperation.
- The trip follows President Zardari’s five-day economic mission to China earlier this month.
The upcoming visit is set against a backdrop of intense regional diplomacy. DPM Dar recently coordinated with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate engagement between Washington and Tehran—a process in which Beijing has played a supporting role. The Prime Minister’s agenda is expected to focus on the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly digital transformation, climate resilience, and smart city initiatives. This diplomatic push occurs as global attention shifts toward Beijing, with U.S. President Donald Trump also scheduled for a visit to the Chinese capital this week.
During the ceremony in Islamabad, DPM Dar emphasized that the bilateral relationship has evolved beyond traditional diplomacy into a partnership defined by technological innovation. He noted that the newly established Digital Economy Center represents a shift toward modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural and healthcare sectors through Chinese expertise. By fostering a “digital corridor,” both nations aim to create a sustainable economic model that benefits the wider Global South, reinforcing the infrastructure and energy foundations already laid by CPEC over the past decade.
