Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed on a four-day official visit to China, beginning today, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding political engagement, and enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Prime Minister’s visit will continue until May 26. He first traveled to Hangzhou as part of the initial phase of the trip. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Atta Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the Party Secretary of China’s Zhejiang province in Hangzhou. Officials said that discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in various sectors. Regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, are also expected to be part of the agenda.

The Foreign Office stated that China has expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving regional tensions through dialogue and peaceful means.

A key highlight of the visit includes participation in business forums under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase 2. Delegations from both countries will engage in meetings designed to promote cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed to boost investment and economic collaboration.

The Prime Minister will also meet CEOs of leading Chinese companies and visit major institutions, including a company headquarters and the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These engagements are aimed at exploring new opportunities in trade, agriculture, technology, and industrial cooperation.

Following the Hangzhou visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Beijing, where he is expected to hold high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. These meetings will focus on strategic cooperation, economic partnerships, and regional geopolitical developments.

In addition, the Prime Minister will attend a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, underscoring the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries.

Officials described the visit as an important step toward further deepening Pakistan-China relations and expanding cooperation under CPEC, particularly in its second phase focused on industrial development and economic growth.