PM Shehbaz Arrives in China for High-Level Talks on CPEC, Trade and Regional Security
By Sadia Khan :
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Hangzhou on Saturday at the start of a four-day official visit to China, aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and discussing regional developments including the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The Pakistani premier was received on arrival by the vice governor of Zhejiang province, according to officials. A high-level delegation accompanying the prime minister includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
The visit comes as Islamabad and Beijing mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, with both countries seeking to deepen their long-standing strategic partnership amid shifting regional and global economic dynamics.
Officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz would hold meetings with senior Chinese political leadership and business executives during the visit. In Hangzhou, the premier is expected to meet the Communist Party Secretary of Zhejiang province and participate in a Pakistan-China business forum focused on investment opportunities and industrial cooperation under CPEC’s second phase.
The second phase of CPEC is expected to place greater emphasis on industrialisation, technology transfer, agriculture modernisation, digital infrastructure and special economic zones, moving beyond the initial focus on roads, ports and energy projects.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding are also likely to be signed during the trip, particularly in the areas of trade, information technology, agriculture and manufacturing cooperation.
Following engagements in Hangzhou, the prime minister will travel to Beijing, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
The leadership-level discussions are expected to review bilateral cooperation across political, strategic and economic sectors, while also addressing the regional security environment, including developments linked to the Iran-US conflict and Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
Pakistan has recently intensified diplomatic engagement regarding regional peace initiatives, with senior civilian and military leadership holding talks with regional and international stakeholders over de-escalation efforts involving Iran and the United States.
According to officials, the Chinese leadership has expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic role in promoting dialogue and regional stability.
The prime minister is also expected to attend a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, highlighting what both countries describe as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will additionally meet executives of leading Chinese technology and industrial firms and visit the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences to explore cooperation in agricultural research, food security and modern farming technologies.
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