ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Wednesday, as Islamabad seeks to deepen political and economic cooperation with its closest ally.
Sharif will also hold discussions with China’s Minister for Information Technology and Industry, Li Licheng, to explore avenues for digital and industrial collaboration.
Later in the day, the Pakistani leader will chair the second edition of the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference in Beijing.
“PM Shehbaz is also expected to preside over a business meeting, which is the second edition of the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference”, the premier office said in a statement.
The forum will assess progress since the first edition, held under Sharif’s leadership in Shenzhen in June 2024, and outline a roadmap for future trade and investment initiatives, it said.
The visit underscores the longstanding “all-weather” friendship between the two countries. At the heart of this partnership is the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has already delivered new highways, energy plants and port facilities. Both sides are now seeking to expand the corridor into digital, green and industrial sectors.
China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a leading investor in its infrastructure and energy markets. For Islamabad, Beijing remains a vital partner in economic revival and regional stability, while for Beijing, Pakistan represents a key ally in South Asia and a strategic hub for trade connectivity.
Sharif’s engagements this week, which include participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin and attendance at a high-profile Victory Day military parade in Beijing, further highlight Pakistan’s central role in China’s vision for a multipolar, interconnected world.
At the sidelines of the SCO summit, held from August 31 to September 1, the two nations sought to explore new avenues to expand their bilateral ties and cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged support for Pakistan’s home-grown capacity for development, expressing readiness to build China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 and upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, and step up cooperation in industries, agriculture, and mining sectors.
The premier’s ongoing visit is also expected to mark the formal launch of the second phase of the CPEC-II, which focuses on industrial cooperation.
