What to Expect from Shehbaz Sharif's Historic Visit to China?

Prime Minister's Journey to Strengthen Ties with China

On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a significant four-day trip to Hangzhou, China, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and commemorating 75 years of diplomatic engagement.

Accompanying him are key figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, as noted in a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

During his stay in Hangzhou, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province and engage in a business forum designed to foster collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese enterprises under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase 2. He will also attend a ceremony for the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Furthermore, he plans to meet with executives from major Chinese corporations and visit Alibaba's headquarters, where he will participate in the signing of cooperation agreements.

Following his time in Hangzhou, the Prime Minister will travel to Beijing for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

He will also take part in events celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and meet with leaders of prominent Chinese firms. Additionally, a visit to the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is on the agenda.

This visit is expected to introduce new avenues for cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly in enhancing partnerships under CPEC Phase 2.

The Foreign Office had previously announced that the Prime Minister's official visit to China would take place from May 23 to 26.