ISLAMABAD, Saturday, May 23, 2026 (WNP): Shehbaz Sharif departed for China on Friday on a four-day official visit for further strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, with particular focus on economic cooperation, investment, technology, and the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The prime minister left for the first leg of his visit to the Chinese city of Hangzhou accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
During his stay in Hangzhou, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province and participate in a major business forum organized to promote cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies under CPEC Phase-II.
The premier will also attend ceremonies for the exchange of agreements and memorandums of understanding for expanding bilateral investment and industrial collaboration between the two countries.
In addition, the prime minister is expected to hold meetings with chief executive officers of leading Chinese companies to explore opportunities for cooperation in technology, digital economy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and innovation sectors.
As part of his engagements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the headquarters of Alibaba Group, where he will participate in the signing ceremony of cooperation memorandums focused on digital and technological collaboration.
Following the Hangzhou leg, the prime minister will travel to Beijing for high-level meetings with Chinese leadership.
During his stay in Beijing, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Xi Jinping and Li Qiang to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, economic cooperation, connectivity projects, and progress under CPEC.
The prime minister will also attend a special ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China — a relationship often described by leaders of both countries as an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
The visit will also include meetings with heads of prominent Chinese corporations and institutions aimed at enhancing industrial cooperation and attracting Chinese investment into Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is additionally scheduled to visit the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), where discussions are expected to focus on agricultural modernization, research collaboration, food security, and technology transfer.
The visit is expected to add new dimensions to Pakistan-China relations and further strengthen economic, technological, and strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly under CPEC Phase-II, which focuses on industrialization, agriculture, information technology, green development, and business-to-business partnerships.
The visit reflects the growing momentum in bilateral engagement between Islamabad and Beijing and underscores the importance both countries attach to expanding long-term cooperation across multiple sectors for mutual development and regional connectivity.
